Broome County Funeral & Cremation Assistance
Broome County maintains an indigent disposition program administered through the Department of Social Services. Funeral and cremation assistance may be available in qualifying cases when sufficient resources are not available to pay disposition expenses.
Many families search for "Medicaid cremation" when a loved one dies without sufficient funds. Medicaid itself does not provide a single statewide New York funeral benefit. In Broome County, eligibility and payment are determined by Broome County DSS under applicable law and county policy. Receiving Medicaid, SSI, or other public assistance may be relevant to a family's circumstances, but it does not automatically establish eligibility for funeral assistance.
Broome County at a Glance
- County seat
- Binghamton
- 2026 cremation allowance
- $1,472 (2026)
- DSS office
- Binghamton, NY 13905
- Broome County DSS
- (607) 778-1100
- Savage-DeMarco
- 909-PLAN-NOW
- Communities served
- Binghamton, Johnson City, Endicott +7 more
Broome County Department of Social Services
Office: Broome County Department of Social Services
Address: Thomas P. Hoke Human Services Center, 36–42 Main Street, Binghamton, NY 13905
Main DSS Telephone: (607) 778-1100
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Savage-DeMarco Funeral Assistance Center
You do not need to contact DSS yourself — we handle the paperwork. Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service coordinates with Broome County DSS on your family's behalf.
909-PLAN-NOW (909-752-6669)Broome County Funeral Allowance
$1,472 (2026)
Broome County's 2026 indigent disposition schedule establishes an allowance of $1,472 for a qualifying immediate cremation. This is a Broome County indigent disposition allowance. It is not a New York State Medicaid cremation benefit. Eligibility and the amount actually authorized or paid remain subject to Broome County DSS requirements, available resources, funeral-home charges, applicable county policy, and DSS approval.
Scheduled allowances
- 2026
- $1,472 — Current Allowance
- 2027
- $1,619 — Scheduled Renewal-Option Allowance
- 2028
- $1,700 — Scheduled Renewal-Option Allowance
The Broome County resolution establishes the 2026 rates for January 1 through December 31, 2026, with options for renewal for 2027 and 2028. Future-year amounts should be confirmed with Broome County when those renewal periods are reached.
Other qualifying disposition costs
Broome County policy also provides for certain actual minimal cremation, cemetery, and necessary equipment costs when applicable and subject to county requirements. These costs are separate from the basic immediate burial/immediate cremation allowance and depend upon the circumstances of the disposition and county approval.
May be covered by the allowance:
- Qualifying immediate burial or immediate cremation
- Certain actual minimal cemetery and cremation costs when applicable, subject to county requirements
- Required equipment when applicable, subject to county requirements
Generally not covered:
- Full-service funeral or viewing
- Obituary publication
- Flowers, programs, or memorial items
Can family or friends contribute?
Broome County policy permits family or friends to supplement an immediate burial or immediate cremation by up to $1,000 for permitted items not covered by DSS, subject to county requirements. Examples identified in county policy include certain items such as calling hours, graveside service, obituary, cremation urn, cremation grave opening, and certified death certificates. The $1,000 is NOT an additional government benefit — it is a limit on qualifying supplementation by family or friends under county policy. Families should discuss any proposed additional services or merchandise with the funeral director before making arrangements.
Out-of-county funeral director assistance
Broome County policy provides for an additional allowance of up to $400 when an out-of-county funeral director assists the local funeral home under circumstances permitted by county policy. This additional allowance is conditional and does not apply automatically to every case.
How the county allowance works
Broome County reimbursement is subject to county approval and applicable county policy. The funeral home must provide its General Price List, and county reimbursement is limited by the applicable county allowance and the funeral home's charges.
Funds and other available resources
Broome County requires applicable funds paid or expected to be paid toward funeral expenses by relatives, friends, or other sources to be disclosed. Available resources may affect the county's determination and the amount, if any, authorized by DSS. The funeral director is responsible for complying with applicable county reporting and documentation requirements.
Eligibility and payment are determined by Broome County DSS. MedicaidCremation.com and Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service do not determine eligibility.
Who May Be Considered for Assistance?
Eligibility for Broome County funeral or cremation assistance is determined by Broome County DSS based on applicable law, county policy, the circumstances of the deceased, and available resources. Receiving Medicaid, SSI, or other public assistance may be relevant to the review, but Medicaid enrollment by itself does not guarantee approval. Broome County DSS may consider funds or other resources available to pay funeral or disposition expenses. Families should contact Broome County DSS or Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service for help identifying the information needed for the county review.
Income limit
Contact Broome County Department of Social Services to confirm current requirements.
Resource limit
Contact Broome County Department of Social Services to confirm current requirements.
Methodology
Eligibility and payment decisions are made solely by Broome County DSS under New York Social Services Law and applicable county policy.
Asset & resource treatment
DSS will consider available resources before authorizing an allowance. Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service will help you identify what information DSS may request.
Documents and Information DSS May Request
Documentation requirements depend on the circumstances of the case. Broome County DSS may request information concerning the deceased, available financial resources, funeral arrangements, and other information needed to determine eligibility. Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service can help families identify and gather information requested for the applicable Broome County DSS review. Separate funeral-home documentation may also be required under Broome County procedures.
Identification and Case Information
Information identifying the deceased and the person making arrangements may be requested.
Financial Information
DSS may request information concerning available funds, bank accounts, insurance, prepaid funeral arrangements, or other resources that could be available for funeral expenses.
Public-Assistance Information
Information concerning Medicaid, SSI, or other public-assistance status may be relevant depending on the circumstances, but such status does not automatically determine eligibility.
Funeral Arrangement Information
The funeral home provides applicable pricing, arrangement, and supporting information required under county procedures.
Additional Information
Broome County DSS may request additional documentation depending on the circumstances of the case.
Who Signs & How It Gets Submitted
Who signs the claim
The licensed funeral director signs as the provider. The next of kin or legally authorized representative also signs the authorization for release of remains and assignment of benefits, as applicable.
Submitted to
Broome County Department of Social Services, Thomas P. Hoke Human Services Center, 36–42 Main Street, Binghamton, NY 13905.
Deadline
Families should begin the funeral-assistance review promptly when assistance may be needed. Current requirements should be confirmed through the assisting funeral director or Broome County DSS.
Process
You do not need to contact DSS yourself — we handle the paperwork. Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service assists with the Broome County DSS process and submits applicable information and funeral-home documentation on behalf of the arranging party. Broome County requires DSS approval before services to be paid by DSS are arranged. Documents requested by DSS to determine eligibility are submitted by the funeral home on behalf of the arranging party. Broome County DSS makes the eligibility and payment decision.
How Long Does Broome County DSS Review Take?
Processing time depends on the circumstances of the case and whether DSS has received the information it requires. Families should contact Broome County DSS or the assisting funeral director for current case-specific information. MedicaidCremation.com does not publish an unverified processing-time estimate.
Local Healthcare Facilities — Broome County
Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service coordinates with these facilities when a death occurs in Broome County. If your loved one passed away at one of these locations, we can arrange direct transfer.
Hospitals
Nursing & Long-Term Care Facilities
Hospice Programs
Frequently Asked Questions — Broome County
Does Medicaid pay for cremation in Broome County?
Medicaid itself does not provide a single statewide funeral benefit. Broome County maintains an indigent disposition program administered through the Department of Social Services for qualifying cases. Medicaid, SSI, or public-assistance status may be relevant to a family's circumstances, but Broome County DSS determines eligibility and payment.
How much is the Broome County immediate cremation allowance in 2026?
Broome County's 2026 indigent disposition schedule establishes a $1,472 allowance for a qualifying immediate burial or immediate cremation. Authorization and payment remain subject to county requirements, available resources, funeral-home charges, and DSS approval. The resolution also establishes scheduled renewal-option amounts of $1,619 for 2027 and $1,700 for 2028, which should be confirmed when those renewal periods are reached.
Does receiving Medicaid automatically qualify someone for Broome County funeral assistance?
No. Medicaid enrollment by itself does not establish eligibility. Broome County DSS determines eligibility based on applicable law, county policy, available resources, and the circumstances of the case.
Does Medicaid Managed Care qualify differently from Fee-for-Service Medicaid?
MedicaidCremation.com does not treat Medicaid enrollment category as the source of the Broome County funeral benefit. Funeral assistance is administered through Broome County DSS under the applicable county program. DSS determines whether assistance is available in a particular case.
Can family members contribute additional money?
Broome County policy permits family or friends to supplement an immediate burial or immediate cremation by up to $1,000 for permitted items not covered by DSS, subject to county requirements. The supplementation is not an additional government benefit.
How long does Broome County DSS take to approve funeral assistance?
Processing time varies depending on the circumstances and whether DSS has received the information it requires. Contact Broome County DSS or the assisting funeral director for current case-specific information.
Who makes the final eligibility decision?
Broome County Department of Social Services makes the government eligibility and payment decision. MedicaidCremation.com and Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service can help families understand and navigate the process but do not determine government eligibility.
How Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service Can Help
Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service can help families understand the Broome County funeral-assistance process, identify information that may be requested, prepare funeral arrangements consistent with the applicable program, and communicate with the appropriate agency.
Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service does not determine government eligibility. Broome County DSS makes government eligibility and payment decisions under the applicable county process.
County Information Status
- County
- Broome County, New York
- Program
- Indigent disposition / funeral assistance
- 2026 immediate burial / immediate cremation allowance
- $1,472 for qualifying cases, subject to Broome County DSS requirements and approval
- 2027
- $1,619 — Scheduled Renewal-Option Allowance
- 2028
- $1,700 — Scheduled Renewal-Option Allowance
- Current 2026 allowance verified
- Yes
- Last researched
- September 2026
- Source type
- Official Broome County government records
- Government eligibility decision
- Broome County Department of Social Services
County policies, allowances, procedures, and future renewal amounts can change. Families and funeral providers should confirm current requirements with Broome County DSS.
Last verified: September 2026
Important: County policies, allowances, procedures, and future renewal amounts can change. Information on this page is provided as a general resource and was last reviewed on the date shown. Families and funeral providers should confirm current requirements with Broome County DSS.
MedicaidCremation.com is a privately operated funeral-assistance information service. It is not affiliated with Medicaid, New York State, Broome County, or the Broome County Department of Social Services. Information on this page is provided as a general resource based on official county materials reviewed as of the date shown. Broome County DSS makes all government eligibility and payment decisions.
Start Your Funeral Assistance Review
Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service is available 24 hours a day to help Broome County families understand the county process and prepare the necessary arrangements. Call us or submit a review request online.