COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Beginning Monday, April 12th, FEMA will begin accepting applications for families who have lost a loved one due to COVID-19.Families will be able to receive up to $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.

If there is anything we can do to assist you with the application process – such as by ordering copies of a death certificate or providing copies of receipts or contracts showing the expenses you incurred – please call or text us at 713-223-1167

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time

If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, we encourage you to keep and gather documentation. Types of information should include:

• An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. 
• Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened. 
• Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. We are not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.
  

If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.

For the latest information please visit: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

8:45 am

We has served our community for 90 years and we remain committed and prepared to safely care for our families during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During this time of uncertainty we remain available by phone 24/7, and our experienced, caring staff will continue assisting families during this critical time.

We continue to follow CDC guidelines whenever possible, in requiring a face mask at all times and practicing social distancing to protect your family and our staff. 

At this time, gatherings at our facility remain limited and we will be abiding by the following guidelines below:

• We do not have a mandatory occupancy limit. We encourage families to keep gatherings intimated but it is at the families discretion.  
• We continue to allow families to have water and limited snacks such as cookies, granola bars and sweet bread
• Masks will continue to be required in the Funeral Home at all times
• Those considered more vulnerable by age or health reasons should take extra precaution and consider not attending
• Those who are coughing, sneezing, or have a high temperature should not consider attending
• Our team will continue to wear masks during services and gatherings
• Services at a church or cemetery may be limited by their own social distancing guidelines

Thank you for following the above guidelines and, more importantly, for granting those most affected by this loss with the gift of your personal presence – one of the most important functions of a funeral service.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a staff member for assistance.

Monday, March 16, 2020

8:35 am

Morales Funeral Home is Prepared to Safely Care for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Houston, TX – Morales Funeral Home remains committed and prepared to safely care for the families it serves during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whenever possible, Morales Funeral Home will continue to enable families to participate in the rituals that are most important to them.

As a member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), we regularly receive information via NFDA from the CDC, Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies about the evolution of COVID-19 in the United States. NFDA continues to lead the conversation with federal officials about the role of funeral service as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And according to the CDC, at this time, there is no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Depending on a family’s preferences, their loved one can be safely embalmed. Families may choose either burial or cremation as usual.

“At Morales Funeral Home we recognize our responsibility to protect the health of those we are privileged to serve,” said Christina Morales, President “We will continue to guide families, as we always have, in ways they can meaningfully and safely commemorate the life of their loved one, while adhering to the guidance issued by federal, state and local public health officials.”

Morales continued: “Our staff remains vigilant about cleaning our facilities and ensuring we’re all following recommended healthy habits, such as keeping a proper social distant, staying home when sick, washing our hands, and covering coughs and sneezes. The CDC and our local public health officials have offered a lot of helpful guidance for businesses on this topic, which we continue to follow.”

We will be implementing the following measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Hand sanitizer and tissues have been placed throughout the funeral home and hand soap in restrooms.
• Encouraging remote arrangements with our funeral directors via phone conference or web
• Hosting a private, intimate graveside service and scheduling a memorial service sometime in the future
• Enhance sanitizing all chapels, meeting areas, furniture, equipment and vehicles

If the staff of Morales Funeral Home can be of assistance, please contact us at (713) 223-1167 or via email: [email protected]

FAQ's

Q: Am I at risk if I go to a funeral or visitation service for someone who died for COVID-19?

There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.

Anyone who is sick should stay home. These actions help prevent people from getting sick and help stop the spread of the virus.

Also, tribal leaders can help. While each tribe has its own traditions regarding death rituals and funerals (including family feeds, giveaways, and commemorative gatherings), it is important for leaders to determine ways for immediate family members to take part while making sure that

• Vulnerable populations are protected.
• Everyone practices frequent hand washing (hand hygiene) and physical distancing (keep 6 feet of space or greater between people of different households).
• Gatherings are limited to 10 or fewer people.

CDC recommends wearing masks in public settings where physical distancing is difficult to maintain. This is especially important in communities where the spread of COVID-19 is on the rise. So, if you do go to a funeral or gathering, wear a mask. But also try to keep about 6 feet from others who are present. You can find more information about using a mask.

Do not place masks on children younger than 2 years old. Also, don’t place a mask on anyone who has trouble breathing or who is unconscious or unable to remove the mask without help.

Q: Am I at risk if I touch someone who died of COVID-19 after they have passed away?

A: You should avoid touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19 before the body is prepared for viewing.

Though we are still learning more about how COVID-19 spreads, it may be possible that you could get COVID-19 by touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19.  After the body has been prepared for viewing there may be less of a chance of the virus spreading from certain types of touching, such as holding the hand or hugging. But you should avoid other activities, such as kissing, washing, and shrouding before and during body preparation. After any contact with the body, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Q. Are there any special requirements for burying or cremating people who die from COVID-19?

People who died from COVID-19 can be buried or cremated. But check for any additional tribal, state, local, or territorial requirements that may dictate the handling and disposition of the body of individuals who have passed from certain infectious diseases.

Q: What should I do if my family member died from COVID-19 while overseas?

A: When a US citizen dies outside the United States, the deceased person’s next of kin or legal representative should notify US consular officials at the Department of State. Consular personnel are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide assistance to US citizens for overseas emergencies. If a family member, domestic partner, or legal representative is in a different country from the deceased person, he or she should call the Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, DC, from 8 am to 5 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, at 888-407-4747 (toll-free) or 202-501-4444. For emergency assistance after working hours or on weekends and holidays, call the Department of State switchboard at 202-647-4000 and ask to speak with the Overseas Citizens Services duty officer. In addition, the US embassy external icon closest to or in the country where the US citizen died can provide assistance.

If the staff of Morales Funeral Home can be of assistance or should you have additional questions, please contact us at (713) 223-1167 or via email: [email protected]