Victim/Witness Assistance Information

Click here to see or print the Victim Services Bereavement Guide

To Assist You in Dealing with the Death of your Loved One

Making Funeral Arrangements for Your Loved One

Contact a funeral home of your choice; the funeral director will meet with you and your family to discuss the arrangements. If your loved one has been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), the funeral home can take care of contacting them to arrange for your loved one to be transferred to the funeral home.  If an autopsy was performed and you want a copy of the results, contact the OCME at (410) 333-3250

Please contact a Victim Services Coordinator if you have any questions or problems

Grief Support

During this difficult time for you and your family, you may find that you need additional support in your grief. Please communicate with your victim advocate about your needs.  There are many counseling and support group options available to you and your family. If you find that you are in need of immediate assistance, contact the County Crisis Center at (240) 777-4000. They are available 24-hours a day.

The Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program is available to help those who have lost a loved one due to homicide. They can be reached at (240) 777-1355.

If you Need Financial help to pay for funeral services, there are several options:

1. Department of Health and Human Services Burial Assistance Program (HHS)   
    Montgomery County DSS offices are located at:
    1301 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD (240) 777-3075
    8818 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD (240) 777-3075
    12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD (240) 777-3420
    Total funeral expenses cannot exceed $1500; HHS will grant up to $650
    towards total expenses, family must pay the remainder.

2. Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program Compensation
    1301 Picarrd Drive
     Rockville, MD (240) 777-1355
     Income eligible applicants may receive up to $2500 to assist with funeral
     expenses if a loved one was a victim of a homicide.

3.  Maryland Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
     6776 Reistertown Road, Suite 312
     Baltimore, MD 21215     1-888-679-9347
     Applicants may receive up to $5000 towards funeral expenses if loved one was
     a victim of a homicide. No income eligibility requirements.