Government support following a bereavement

DOWN TO EARTH

There is some statutory financial support available to help with funeral costs.

Funeral benefits often cover less than half of the average cost of a funeral in the UK.

Government support

Support from the Social Fund is different in each nation

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England & Wales

Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment

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Scotland

Funeral Support Payment

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Northern Ireland

Funeral Expenses Payment

Government support

If you are under state pension age and your partner has died, you may also be eligible for the Bereavement Support Payment

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England, Wales & Scotland

Bereavement Support Payment

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Northern Ireland

Bereavement Support Payment

Your benefits eligibility may have changed

If your financial circumstances were connected to the person who has died, your benefits may have been affected, and you may need to make a new application first. If you haven’t already, you could call the DWP Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012.

If you are not currently in receipt of benefits, you may now be eligible.  You can find more information about this in our guide to admin and benefits following a bereavement.

Admin & benefits after a death
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Grants from charities and benevolent funds

There are grants related to work and professions that can help with unpaid funeral bills, as well as charities related to characteristics such as your age, gender or nationality, or where you live.

Grants from charities and benevolent funds

Other guidance for anyone struggling with a funeral bill

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Money from the estate

Carefully look through the deceased person’s paperwork to try and identify all the different accounts they may have had and to see if anything suggests they had any insurance policies or private pensions (not the state pension).

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Grants from charities and benevolent funds

There are grants related to work and professions that can help with unpaid funeral bills, as well as charities related to characteristics such as your age, gender or nationality, or where you live.

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Crowdfunding

Online donations from family, friends and even strangers who just want to help can reduce funeral debt.

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Repayment plans and loans

Funeral directors often need part payment to cover third party costs, called disbursements, before the funeral can go ahead.

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

More from Down to Earth

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Reducing funeral costs

Guidance on the various ways you can keep costs down when planning a funeral now or in the future.

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Admin & benefits after a death

Helpful information explaining what you need to do after a death.

Black piggy bank with the word funeral written on it. A white person's hand is putting a coin into the top.

How much does a funeral cost?

The average cost of the attended funeral SunLife tracks is £4,285, though less expensive options are available.

Photo credits: Kindel Media, RDNE Stock Project, Mikhail Nikov and Leeloo the first on Pexels