(The Center Square) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has paid out more than $46 million to Louisiana residents to cover the cost of funeral expenses tied to COVID-19. Data released by FEMA in July shows the agency paid a total of $46.6 million to 6,769 individuals and families to cover funeral costs for COVID-19-related deaths since January 20, 2020. That figure was $32.2 million for 4,677 residents in January. The funeral assistance program, funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act, covers 100% of funeral expenses for COVID-19-related deaths. FEMA has spent over $2.6 billion in awards to over 410,000 people for COVID-19-related funeral expenses in all states and U.S. territories since January 2020. The money went to cover funerals for more than 419,000 people “who died from COVID-19,” according to FEMA.