The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has announced a new grant program aimed at restoring abandoned and neglected cemeteries across the state. The Cemetery Relief Fund will provide up to 10 grants of up to $20,000 each year, supported by funds allocated in the fiscal year 2026 state budget signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Eligible applicants include units of local government and not-for-profit organizations, such as cemetery authorities. The application deadline is October 24th, and interested parties can access the application through the state’s grant portal.
To qualify, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, which include registration in the state’s Grant Accountability and Transparency Act portal and compliance with the Cemetery Oversight Act. Additionally, organizations that do not own a cemetery must either obtain permission from the cemetery owner or provide an explanation if that is not feasible.
For those interested in applying, a virtual training session will be held at 3 p.m. on September 4th and will later be available on IDFPR’s YouTube channel.
For more information, contact Denise Bullocks, IDFPR Deputy Director of Cemetery and Funeral Oversight, at denise.bullocks@illinois.gov or call 312-814-6187.
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