FEMA Funeral Assistance for COVID Deaths Deadline is Tuesday

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 is the deadline for applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for reimbursement of funeral expenses for families of eligible individuals who died from COVID-19.

It’s not too late to reach out to your community with a friendly reminder of the deadline. A social media post or, better yet, a phone call to those families who suffered the loss of a loved one due to COVID  should be well received, especially if you include vital information to ease the application process. Here’s what applicants need to know:

Applications are not accepted online:  

• The application process begins with a phone call to FEMA at 844-684-6333;
• The call center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

The death and the applicant must meet certain eligibility criteria: 

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen;
• The death has to have occurred in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia;
• The death must be attributed to COVID-19; and
• Applicants must have been responsible for the eligible funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.

Documentation is required: 

• A copy of an official death certificate to verify that the place, date, and cause of death meet qualification criteria
• A signed funeral home contract or documentation that shows the date, names of the deceased and the responsible party, and itemized expenses.

During the 20-minute phone call, the applicant must provide:

• Social Security number and date of birth of the deceased and the applicant;
• The applicant’s current mailing address and telephone number;
• The address where the individual died;
• Burial or funeral insurance policies owned by the deceased;
• Any other funeral assistance the applicant received; and
• How eligible reimbursement funds should be delivered.

Full eligibility details and frequently asked questions are available on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/historic/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.