Burial Program

Burial Program

The Choctaw Nation has options available for funeral assistance.

Eligibility

  • Tribal Burial (up to $2500)
    • Applicants must notify the Tribal Burial Program at time of death.
    • The application must be received within 30 days of passing.
    • Applicants must provide the following:
      • Copy of the deceased member's Choctaw CDIB and tribal membership card (verified thru our membership department)
      • Copy of the deceased member's Social Security card
      • Finalized, official copy of the death certificate (not pending)
      • Itemized billing statement (invoice) and current W-9 statement from vendor
    • This is not an entitlement program, and reimbursements are not allowed. Services will be denied if resources are available or paid in full.
  • Supplemental Program (up to $500)
    • The deceased must be a U.S. resident who passed away after October 1, 2022.
    • Applicants must notify our office no more than 30 days after death.
    • Applicants must provide the following:
      • Copy of the deceased member's Choctaw CDIB and tribal membership card (verified thru our membership department)
      • Copy of the deceased member's Social Security card
      • Finalized, official copy of the death certificate (not pending)
      • Itemized billing statement (invoice) and current W-9 statement from vendor
    • The vendor(s) will be paid directly.
    • This is not an entitlement program, and reimbursements are not allowed. Services will be denied if resources are available or paid in full.
    • This benefit can be used as a standalone or in-addition to the tribal burial program but cannot be used with the BIA program.
  • BIA Burial
    • The deceased must:
      • Have lived within the Choctaw Nation service area at least six months prior to death
      • Be a member of any federally recognized tribe, verifed by an active tribal membership card or letter, CDIB card and social security card
      • Be indigent, with no other resources available (insurance, veteran's benefits, cash over $1,000 saving accounts, IIM account monies, victim assistance program or other state and federal assistance programs, etc.)
    • Applicants may be asked to provide any of the following verification documents:
      • Income or pay stubs
      • Bank statements
      • Benefit checks
      • Savings accounts
      • Award letters
      • Address verification
      • Copy of certified death certificate
      • Other documents as needed
    • Applications can be filed up to 180 days after death
    • This program cannot be used in conjuction with other tribal burial programs.

Burial Program
PO Box 1210
Durant, OK 74702
Fax: 580-920-3133

Additional Information

Payments are issued directly to the funeral home, no reimbursements are allowed. If an invoice is paid in full, program eligibility is voided.