The last two years have been tragic for many families who have lost loved ones to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the emotional toll, the cost of a funeral can put a strain on loved ones.

To help ease the burden, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing financial assistance to pay for funerals of those who died from COVID-19 on or after Jan. 20, 2020.

Here in the Lehigh Valley, Stephens Funeral Home, 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown, provided Linda Strohl, of Lower Macungie Township, with the information she needed to bury, not one, but both of her parents who died within hours of each other from COVID-19.

Her mother, SallyAnn Albright, 84, died Dec. 30, 2020. Her dad, Donald Albright, 86, died Dec. 31, 2020.

They were buried 14 days after their deaths, Strohl said.

Until stricken by COVID-19, Strohl’s parents lived independently in their three-story Emmaus home.

“They were healthy,” Strohl told The Lehigh Valley Press.

Matt Stephens of Stephens Funeral Home sent a letter to Strohl a few months after their deaths explaining FEMA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Funeral Assistance program.

“I was skeptical in the beginning,” Strohl said. “But, it really wasn’t that hard.

“Matt explained the whole thing. He encouraged us to do it.”

Strohl said Stephens sent her all the paperwork and the receipts for the cost of the two funerals.

Initially, it took a while for Strohl to get through to someone at the phone number she was given but when she did, it was a “live person,” not a recording.

“They gave me an account number and told me exactly what to mail in,” Strohl said. “It really wasn’t as hard and involved as I thought it would be.

“I could go online and check on the progress.”

Strohl said she faxed the paperwork to FEMA.

“The whole process took two to three months, tops,” Strohl said. “I was really impressed. Anything on the bill from the funeral home was paid for.

“They paid 100 percent for both funerals and their markers.”

She added Matt Stephens was “great,” with all the help he provided.

“I would never go anywhere else but Stephens Funeral Home,” she said.

Although the stress of paying for the two funerals was minimized thanks to the help of Stephens Funeral Home, the pain of losing both her parents continues.

“I go to call mom everyday and forget they are not there,” Strohl said, choking back tears.