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.
