Money COVID-19 funeral assistance: What to know about the FEMA program and how you can apply April 10, 2021April 12, 2021 Ben Yoder, Des Moines Register Comments Off on COVID-19 funeral assistance: What to know about the FEMA program and how you can apply FEMA's funeral assistance program launches Monday, April 12. The agency is paying a maximum of $9,000 per funeral and of $35,500 per application.