Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

Childhood Cancer Lantern
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Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

Funeral Assistance

What you get

Up to $2,500 for funeral expenses. Open now.

Who starts it
You, with a letter from your social worker
How it’s sent
PDF form, uploaded on their website
Your time
About 30 minutes, plus waiting for the letter
Last checked
Aug 26, 2026

Before you start, check you fit

  • Your child is 21 or under at diagnosis.

  1. Ask your social worker for the letterStart here. This is the part that takes the longest.

    Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation needs 2 things from your social worker. It has to cover 3 things. Copy this message, or say it in person at the next visit.

    Hi [social worker’s name],

We’d like to apply to Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Funeral Assistance. They offer up to $2,500 for funeral expenses, and they are taking applications now.

They need 2 things from you: their part of the form and a letter. The letter has to cover recommendation for the specific requested fund, projected low-to-moderate-income rationale when current income is slightly over the limit but treatment circumstances are expected to reduce income, and description of any selected Special Circumstances. Their form and instructions are here: https://www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org/

Could you write that when you have a chance? I’ll bring the printed form to our next visit, or I can email it. Thank you for everything you do for us.

[your name] · [phone]
    Copying is the only thing this page does with your text. Nothing is saved.

  2. Fill in their formPrint it, or fill it in on screen if the PDF allows.

    Open the application PDF ↗ Checked Aug 26, 2026

    What the form asks for

    Child/Patient Information and Medical Information
    First name / Last nameDate of birthPlace of birth (state/country)Male / FemaleEthnicityName of parent/guardianPermanent address (street/city/zip)Phone / Email / Preferred languagePlease consider sending a photograph of your childChild's diagnosisDate of diagnosisPrimary type of cancerDate of initial treatmentProjected length of treatmentSocial Worker or Health Care Professional Information: name, hospital/clinic, address, phone, fax, and emailPatient Fun Facts: favorite food, color, song, cartoon character, TV show, book, sport, and desired travel destination
    Household Information
    List name, age, and relationship to patient of ALL dependentsList name, age, and relationship to patient of ALL other household membersParent/Guardian #1 employer, gross monthly salary, employer address and phoneIs parent or guardian currently on unpaid leave or unemployedParent/Guardian #2 employer, gross monthly salary, employer address and phoneIs parent or guardian currently on unpaid leave or unemployed
    Household Income, Expenses, and Other Assistance
    What is your family's projected gross annual household income (current year)What was your family's gross annual household income in the previous yearMonthly household expenses: housing type/payment, utilities, groceries, gas/fuel, repairs/insurance, other household items, uncovered medical bills, hotel/temporary housing, treatment travel, and other treatment expensesWould you like to share any other income or expense information with TBCFList the organizations currently providing financial assistance and optional amounts
    Program Request Form · your care team fills this in
    $2,500 Funeral FundTotal Amount RequestedSocial Worker Signature / Date
    Terms, Consent, and Waiver
    Signature of Parent or Guardian / Date / Printed nameInitial consent to recording and publication termsSignature of releaseSignature of witness / Printed name of witness

    Have ready

    • Current Medi-Cal card/proof of medical coverage, or private-insurance documentation as applicable.
    • Proof of residence in Santa Barbara, Ventura, or San Luis Obispo County.
    • Most recent pay stubs and proof of additional income when the family has private insurance; proof of current unpaid leave or unemployment when applicable.
    • Previous year's tax return for a privately insured family.
    • Funeral home or cemetery invoice; an original invoice copy is required for family reimbursement.

  3. Submit it on their websiteSend the letter with your application, or the way they ask.

    • If the child passes within one year of DFA or Relapse approval, submit only the program request form plus the social-worker request letter; after one year, submit the full Funeral application, letter, and supplements.
    • Preferred: give the complete packet to the hospital professional/social worker to forward or upload.
    • Fallback explicitly allowed by the official PDF: email or USPS mail the packet to the Program Director when it cannot be provided to a hospital professional.

After you send

Confirm that all required sections, the social-worker letter, signed request form, consent/release signatures, and applicable supplements were received. Do not send SSNs, bank data, or other materials not requested by the official form. If you have not heard back in two weeks, write and ask whether it arrived.

Full record, as published