Funeral & Burial Providers

VVF, under most circumstances, may pay up to $10,000 for the funeral, burial or memorial service of a deceased victim after other available sources of payment have been applied.
For incidents occurring prior to July 1, 2019, the maximum allowable award is $5,000.

The person responsible for paying for the victim’s funeral arrangements may submit the application for funeral and burial benefits. VVF cannot accept applications filed directly by a service provider, such as a mortuary, funeral home or cemetery.

  • Funeral and viewing arrangements
  • Burial or Cremation services
  • Flower arrangements
  • Brochures or programs
  • Obituaries
  • Travel to identify the deceased victim
  • All other expenses as deemed reasonable and necessary by VVF

 

  • Food and Beverage
  • Any funeral arrangements which are pre-purchased prior to the victim's death

 

In order to consider payment for services rendered, VVF requires the following documentation:
  • A W9 Form completed
  • A funeral contract that exhibits the signature of the person taking responsibility for the funeral expenses
  • Itemized, detailed statement including the amount of any payments made to date and the source of payments
  • Copy of a final death certificate
  • Explanation of benefits from the following collateral resources (if applicable):
    • Life insurance
    • Funeral/burial insurance
    • Automobile insurance

Questions about the status of an account should be directed to Status@VirginiaVictimsFund.org.

 

Code of Virginia § 19.2-368.11:1(G) states that the Virginia Victims Fund is the payer of last resort. This statute requires claimants to exhaust all available collateral resources before VVF can make payment. The resources relevant in each claim depend on both the crime type and the resources available to the victim.

VVF can only pay for services after they are rendered. VVF never pre-authorizes payment of any expenses. However, providers may direct bill immediately after services are rendered.

Collections

Per the Code of Virginia, it is illegal for providers to place an account in collections that is under consideration at the Virginia Victims Fund.

§ 19.2-368.5:2. Effect of filing a claim; stay of debt collection activities by health care providers.

A. Whenever a person files a claim under this chapter, all health care providers, as defined in § 8.01-581.1 that have been given notice of a pending claim, shall refrain from all debt collection activities relating to medical treatment received by the person in connection with such claim until an award is made on the claim or until a claim is determined to be non-compensable pursuant to § 19.2-368.11:1. The statute of limitations for collection of such debt shall be tolled during the period in which the applicable health care provider is required to refrain from debt collection activities hereunder.

B. For the purpose of this section, "debt collection activities" means repeatedly calling or writing to the claimant and threatening either to turn the matter over to a debt collection agency or to an attorney for collection, enforcement or filing of other process. The term shall not include routine billing or inquiries about the status of the claim.