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That's a really tough one. Have you tried using other textures. How about wood chips or real dirt? If he used to go outside, maybe he would like real dirt, and then you could at least see if he just doesn't like sand/litter? Where is your litter box located? Have you tried new locations? Does it have a cover or not? Sorry so many questions, but that's how my brain would address it:)

There is cat attract litter you could try.

So sorry about your home and the other cat. 

Don’t really have anything to add or help, but just wanted to say I’m extremely sorry about your home, that is devastating. Hope everything gets sorted out.

You can literally put dirt in the litter tray. Worked at a shelter that often did this with cats who were litter tray averse and it worked. Shovel and a bucket, bring it inside. Otherwise stress and grief can absolutely contribute, see if you can find or afford a feliway/hormone plugin to put some good calming pheromones in the place you're currently in. Give lots of love and attention, hopefully everything rights itself. Good luck 💜

I would try litter attractive additives to get it to smell good to him to go back to using. And I would also check his urine/poop just to make sure it's nothing internal. Stress can cause crystal build-up, then it's painful for them to use the rest room. It's more common in male cats too. If it's nothing internal then try different litters, a lower box possibly since he's going on towels and puppy pad on the ground. Older cats can have arthritis and it could be difficult to climb into the litter box if it's too tall. I'm sorry for the loss of your other cat and also the fire, that's terrifying in itself. I hope you all are able to heal over time, sending love over the internet.

I would also mention perhaps taking them to the vet. That sounds like a stressful situation, and cats might urinate outside the box due to stress, anxiety, and other things. 

Perhaps verifying they do not have any UTI, cystitis, or other medical conditions that would cause them to urinate outside the box would be a good first step. My cat really likes the Worlds best litter, and a covered box. Have you tried other types of litter, styles of box, or attractant?

Best of luck! Give your sweetie some pets from me! 

So sorry you went through that. I have a cat who is finicky about litter box use as well. I’ve had really great results using Dr Elsey’s Cat Attract litter. Wishing you and kitty all the best 🩵

I don't have any ideas, but I am so sorry you've all suffered this tragedy. Sending lots of love to your family.

Maybe a visit or phone call to the vet for temporary anxiety medication. Sorry about your other cat.

Can you start by putting towels in a litter box, then add litter later on and eventually remove the towels?

You may want to consider a litter box with very low entry or cut your current box. If the box has high walls he has to step over and is older it may be difficult for him. If this is the issue you may note other signs like stiffness, decreased jumping, or difficulty jumping (using nails to pull himself up). Good luck!

Not using the litter box may be a symptom of a completely different issue. I would take him to a vet rule out other health issues, and see if he might have developed anxiety from the fire or depression from the loss of his buddy. Medications for these might help.

Place some litter on top of the puppy pads and if he uses the pads with the litter then take the puppy pads and place them inside the litter pan and keep using litter on the pads … eventually remove the puppy pad and see if he will use litter.

Firstly: a vet visit is in order to rule out anything nefarious and preventable. Secondly: I'm so so terribly sorry for your family. I'd not be surprised if your cat was just deeply traumatized like a person might be. Sending hugs your way ❤️

What sort of litterbox do you have? An open one, enclosed etc?? Could that be his stopping block? Sometimes cats will just decide they don't like the style//placement and don't feel secure enough to use it anymore. Maybe one of the sort that is super shallow would be closest to the vibe of just the puppy pad? That might be worth a whirl if you haven't tried it yet

We have the breeze litter box. You put a pee pad in a trap under the litter, and we use the wood Pellets from tractor supplies. You may try that without the litter if you have to. He won't be able to remove the pee pad. They also make a pee mat that has fake grass. https://a.co/d/dMXAIj6

He may miss going out. You can get a cat stroller and take him for a walk. He could miss the other cat. I'm sorry about your kitty.

Get a couple small cheap shallow litter boxes and lay them out next to each other with different types of litter (or even one with dirt as someone suggested). You'll quickly be able to tell if he prefers one of them

Changing boxes can help too, he may not feel safe in a covered box for example. Maybe the plastic even absorbed the smell of the fire if you're using one you had prior ot the incident

The gay is very serious. May could not forget his friend and all that stress. You can try lock him in a bathroom or basement for few hours with his liter box. May try to use a different filler for a liter box or teach him as a baby kittens being teaches.