Funeral assistance: who pays for it, how much is it, and how to claim it

Last updated: September 2026

It's almost always collected by the wrong person, or nobody collects it at all. He funeral assistance It's money that the pension system returns to whoever paid for the funeral of a member or pensioner. In the families we assist, almost no one knew it existed, and by the time they finally ask, they've already thrown away the funeral home bill, which is the document everything depends on.

We are Hepacom, the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation (NIT 900.841.914-1), and we work for the right to decent housing. We do not provide benefits or process paperwork: we explain what the law says, with the source alongside.

What is funeral assistance and who can claim it?

The one who paid claims it, not the one who inherited it. That's the misunderstanding that causes the money to be lost. Law 100 of 1993 It is literal in its article 51: it has the right «"the person who proves to have paid the funeral expenses of a member or pensioner"». It doesn't say son, it doesn't say spouse, it doesn't say heir.

So, if a neighbor paid for the funeral, the claimant is the neighbor, and if the deceased's employer paid for it, the employer claims it. When the children split the expenses but the bill is in only one child's name, only that child can file a claim. It's not divided among the family; it's a reimbursement to the person who paid.

The deceased did have to be within the system, as affiliated contributor or as a pensioner. That condition leaves many people out and it's advisable to check it before putting together the folder.

How much is the funeral assistance?

It is equivalent to the last base salary for contributions or the last pension payment, with a floor of 5 minimum salaries and a ceiling of 10. Article 51 establishes it as follows: «"without this aid being less than five (5) current legal monthly minimum wages, nor greater than ten (10) times said wage"».

With the 2026 minimum wage at $1,750,905 (Decree 1469 of December 2025), the floor is around $8.7 million and the roof around $17.5 million. These are our calculations based on the standard, not a published rate: the exact amount is determined by the entity according to the person's contributions or income. This serves to illustrate the point, as the benefit almost always covers the entire funeral expenses and there's even some left over.

Preparation of Hepacom based on Law 100 of 1993, Law 776 of 2002 and Decree 56 of 2015. The entity calculates the value in each case.

Common mistakes that ruin the application

• The invoice was in the name of the person who did not pay. If the receipt was issued in the name of the deceased or a relative who didn't pay, the person filing the claim has no proof. Request it in the name of the person who paid, right there at the funeral home.
• Claiming from two entities for the same burial. When the death was work-related, Article 16 of the Law 776 of 2002 orders that the ARL pays and prohibits double payment.
• Throw away the funeral plan papers. If the burial was covered by a prepaid plan or policy, the supporting document is no longer the invoice but the contract or the funeral home's certification.

What documents are required to claim funeral assistance?

The folder is short and is put together with whatever is left in hand after the funeral. The procedure sheet of Colpensiones request these supports:

1. Civil death registry of the affiliate or pensioner, with an issue no older than three months.
2. Applicant's identity document, the person or company that paid the expenses.
3. Original invoice The contract or certification from the funeral home is required, itemized and already canceled, and issued in the name of the person who paid. With a funeral plan, the contract or certification from the funeral home is included; with insurance, the policy is included.
4. Bank account certificate from the claimant, issued less than 30 days ago.
5. Application form completed form, which can be downloaded from the portal or requested at a service point.

If the deceased was in a private fund, the process is similar but is handled by the fund or insurance company. And if someone offers to "expedite" your application for a fee, it's a scam: no entity charges for processing the paperwork. See our guide on subsidy scams.

Is there a deadline for claiming funeral assistance?

Neither Article 51 nor Article 86 of Law 100 sets a term. The text of the regulation does not specify a deadline. However, this does not mean you can leave it until later: the supporting documents do expire, as the bank certificate cannot be older than 30 days and the death certificate cannot be older than three months. Confirm the current deadline with the relevant entity before submitting.

What if the person was not enrolled in a pension plan?

There is no funeral assistance to request, and it's better to know this upfront than to spend weeks at service windows. The benefit is based on membership, so anyone who never contributed to the system or received a pension is excluded, even if they received Colombia Mayor benefits. This program provides support while the person is alive, not a death benefit; the requirements are outlined in the guide. Greater Colombia. The only thing left to do is ask for funeral assistance at the municipal social welfare office.

¿Las EPS pagan auxilio funerario?

No. El auxilio funerario de la Ley 100 vive en el sistema de pensiones, no en el de salud. Los artículos 51 y 86 están en el libro de pensiones, y el 86 es explícito: «el auxilio deberá ser cubierto por la respectiva administradora o aseguradora, según corresponda». Esa administradora es Colpensiones o el fondo privado donde cotizaba la persona. Tu EPS ni lo reconoce ni lo paga.

Hay un caso distinto que sí pasa por el sistema de salud, y conviene no confundirlo con el auxilio. El artículo 167 de la misma ley dice que, en urgencias por accidentes de tránsito, por acciones terroristas con bombas o artefactos explosivos y por catástrofes naturales, los afiliados al sistema de salud tienen derecho al cubrimiento de los gastos funerarios, entre otras prestaciones. Pero ahí tampoco paga la EPS: la norma dice que paga directamente el Fondo de Solidaridad y Garantía, que hoy es la ADRES. Si la muerte fue en un accidente de tránsito, ese es el camino, y lo explicamos en Fosyga and ADRES.

La confusión sale cara porque la gente radica en la EPS, la EPS no responde lo que no le corresponde, y cuando por fin llegan a la administradora de pensiones ya pasaron meses.

¿Quién paga si era pensionado del FOPEP o docente del FOMAG?

No todos los pensionados están en Colpensiones, y ese es el otro punto donde se pierde el trámite. Si la persona venía de una entidad pública liquidada, su mesada probablemente la pagaba el FOPEP, el Fondo de Pensiones Públicas del Nivel Nacional, que tiene una sección propia de información de fallecidos y un trámite de pago de auxilios funerarios. El FOPEP no publica los requisitos en su portada, así que no te guiamos de memoria: pedilos por su canal oficial antes de armar la carpeta.

Si el fallecido era docente oficial, el camino no es Colpensiones ni el FOPEP sino el Fondo Nacional de Prestaciones Sociales del Magisterio. Ahí hay un dato que le cuesta plata a las familias y casi nadie lo sabe: según el FOMAG, los recursos de pensión, cesantías, auxilios y seguro por muerte quedan disponibles en las entidades bancarias por 30 días calendario. Si nadie los cobra en ese plazo, se devuelven y toca volver a gestionar el giro.

¿Y si quien murió era pensionado por sobrevivencia?

También genera auxilio funerario. La ley cuenta como pensionados, en su artículo 50, a los de vejez o jubilación, invalidez y sustitución o sobrevivencia, y el artículo 51 le da el derecho a quien pague el entierro de un afiliado o pensionado. O sea que cuando fallece la viuda que venía recibiendo la pensión de su esposo, quien cubra ese segundo entierro puede reclamar igual, ante la entidad que le pagaba la mesada a ella.

How Hepacom accompanies you

We work with families in the southern Aburrá Valley, and a funeral is one of the hardships that most quickly throws a household off balance: it's paid for with rent, mortgage payments, or loans from loan sharks. Recovering those millions that already belong to the family can be the difference between keeping the house and starting from scratch, and the right to... decent housing It's also defended there. If you need guidance in preparing the folder, write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org or from contact us. Also check out the State aid and subsidies.

Frequently asked questions about funeral assistance

Who can claim funeral assistance?
The person or company that proves they paid the funeral expenses, even if they are not a family member, is entitled to them. The money is not divided among the children nor is it part of the inheritance.

How much is the funeral assistance?
It is equivalent to the last base salary for contributions or the last pension payment, never less than 5 minimum wages nor more than 10. With the 2026 minimum, it is approximately between $8.7 and $17.5 million.

Who pays if the death was in a work accident?
The ARL, according to article 16 of Law 776 of 2002. That same rule prohibits paying the same benefit twice.

Is there funeral assistance if the deceased was not contributing to social security?
No. The benefit depends on having been a member or pensioner. Without membership, there is no benefit, even if the person receives other state support.

Is there a cost for the procedure?
No. Filing is free and doesn't require intermediaries. Anyone charging you for processing is scamming you.

¿Me pagan el auxilio funerario si el entierro lo cubrió un plan exequial?
La ley prevé ese cruce y no lo deja al azar. El artículo 51 dice que cuando los gastos funerarios deban estar cubiertos por una póliza de seguros, las entidades del sector público «podrán repetir contra la entidad aseguradora que lo haya amparado», y el 86 le da la misma acción a las administradoras. El sistema está armado para que el mismo gasto no se pague dos veces. Radicá igual con el contrato o la certificación de la funeraria y que la entidad resuelva: lo que no conviene es dejar de reclamar por suponer.

Information guide. The procedure is carried out by the official entity. Sources: Law 100 of 1993 (arts. 51 and 86), Law 776 of 2002 (art. 16), Decree 56 of 2015 (art. 19) and Colpensiones, FOPEP y FOMAG. Check the official channel of your entity. Hepacom does not charge or manage procedures.