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The federal government program designed to help cover funeral costs for people who have died of COVID-19 was inundated with more than 1 million calls on its launch day. The Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) rolled out its hotline Monday, inviting Americans to apply for up to $9,000 per funeral and up to $35,500 per applicant to help with expenses related to coronavirus deaths occurring after January 20, 2020. (Sganga, 4/14)

Starting this week, U.S. citizens and some lawful immigrants can apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for reimbursements of up to $9,000 for each COVID-related funeral. But when applicants call an agency phone line to request the aid, they first hear a prerecorded message on eligibility requirements warning that the information they provide may be shared with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with other government agencies. "FEMA may share your information with these partners to make sure you receive all disaster assistance available to you, prevent duplicating benefits or to prevent future disaster losses,” states the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance helpline. (Jhabvala Romero, 4/14)

The news during 2020 was filled with tragic scenes of families visiting their senior loved ones through windows, health care professionals breaking down over the lonely deaths of patients in intensive care wards, and funerals carried out without families receiving the caresses and comfort of loved ones. There have been some points of hope. For one thing, the Tar Heel state still experienced more births than deaths overall last year, according to provisional resident data provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. In total, 115,076 residents of North Carolina were born, while 87,987 community members died. (Critchfield, 4/14)

When the pallbearers brought Phil McLean’s coffin into the chapel, there were gasps before a wave of laughter rippled through the hundreds of mourners. The coffin was a giant cream donut. “It overshadowed the sadness and the hard times in the last few weeks,” said his widow, Debra. “The final memory in everyone’s mind was of that donut, and Phil’s sense of humor.” (Perry, 4/15)