Help when someone dies

There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost but still have a dignified funeral. There are lots of choices now which can give an affordable funeral, and which still gives you want you need. 

Funeral director fees can often be an expensive part of the cost. You may want to ask someone to check fees with different directors.

Other ways costs can be reduced include:

• the type of coffin used
• the time of the ceremony
• use of vehicles or flowers.

Public Health funerals are provided by local authorities. These types of funerals are intended for people who have died with no family or friends who are able or willing to make the necessary arrangements for a funeral.

The service is in the morning, usually around 9.00 or 9.30am.  

Tip Visit this page for more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-funerals-good-practice-guidance/public-health-funerals-good-practice-guidance

You do not need to use a funeral director. If you want to, you could conduct the funeral arrangements yourself.  There are support agencies that can offer advice and guidance to help you dothis.

Tip
Visit these pages for information: http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?page=keeping-funeral-costs-down

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/arranging-a-funeral-yourself

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/funeral-services/arranging-a-funeral/#h–strong-arranging-a-funeral-without-a-funeral-director-strong-

It depends on your circumstances. Here are some ways that can help towards funeral costs:

• A government grant, if you are receiving certain benefits
• A grant if the funeral is for a child under 18, or a still birth after 24 weeks
• The bank account of the person who has died
• The person’s insurance policies or pension sum
• Pre-paid funeral plans
• The estate of the person who has died, although this may not be available at first
• Some charities may be able to help, but this can be limited.

Tip: if you have difficulty affording the funeral you may be able to make cheaper funeral arrangements. 

Yes.  If you receive certain benefits because you are on a low income you may be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment. This used to be called the Social Fund Funeral Grant.

It doesn’t usually cover all the costs, and there are conditions you have to meet.

If you are the partner of the person who died you may also qualify for a bereavement payment.

Tip: Visit this page for more information about the Funeral Expenses Payment: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

There is no fixed amount for a Funeral Expenses Payment but they are capped.

Each case is looked at individually, but can include the costs of:

• a burial or cremation
• up to £1,000 towards other costs such as the coffin, directors’ fees, flowers etc.

If the person who died had savings or other assets in their estate – like insurance or property – this may be used to pay back part of the grant.

Tip: Visit this page for more information https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

To qualify for this help, you need to meet certain conditions:

• You get certain low income benefits or Tax Credits
• You meet the rules on your relationship with the person who has died. You will usually need to be the partner or a close relative or friend, and no one else can take responsibility.

If the funeral will take place outside of the UK you will need specialist advice. Please speak with the Department for Work and Pensions team.

Visit this page for more information: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

There are two funds:

• One is for for adults who have died
• One is for children under 18, not in full-time advanced education.

If you are applying for a close relative or friend, you may need to show that there isn’t anyone else who could be treated as paying for the funeral and they are not receiving benefits.

Tip Rules on applications for children that have died are explained separately. Visit this page: https://www.gov.uk/child-funeral-costs

The Children’s Funeral Fund is not means tested and can help pay some of the funeral cost for:

• A young person under 18 or
• A baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy.

If you need funeral support for a child, the funeral director  will complete the paperwork for the funeral expenses payment on your behalf.  This service should be free of charge.

See link here https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

Sometimes. If the person who died has left money and/or assets as part of their estate, the Funeral Expenses Payment team may require that funds from the estate are used to repay the Funeral Expenses Payment.

These things are not taken into account:

• Any arrears of benefit or any lump sum bereavement payment.
• Any contributions from charities, friends or relatives
• A home lived in by the partner of the person who has died
• Personal possessions left to relatives.

A full list can be provided by the Funeral Expenses Payment team.  Visit this page: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Funeral-Payment/What-is-a-Funeral-Payment#:~:text=You%20do%20not%20have%20to,paid%20back%20out%20of%20that.

It can take up to 6 weeks* from the date that the application is received.
Sometimes this is longer or quicker, but it depends on your circumstances and the information that is available. 
*This may change.

Tip  If you need a payment more urgently, this can be considered if you are being supported by a professional agency like Citizens Advice.

Payment is made direct into your bank, building society or Credit Union account, or direct to the funeral directors. 

The easiest way is by phoning the Bereavement Service Helpline. They can give you guidance and help you complete the paperwork. If you need an interpreter, tell the operator.
You can also get a form from a JobcentrePlus office or online*, and post it to them.  Some funeral directors or advice services can help to complete the forms.   

Tip: see here for other ways to make an application: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/how-to-claim

Bereavement Service Helpline: Call 0800 731 0469 and choose option 2.
Lines are open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays

Textphone: 0800 731 0464

Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0469

Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users 
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm

You can also apply by post.
*Download the claim form here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funeral-payment-claim-form
Post it to:
Freepost DWP Funeral Payments

You need to apply within 6 months of the funeral, however you should apply as soon as possible.

Tip You should submit an application at the earliest opportunity after the person has died.
You should do this even if you are waiting for another benefit decision, as you can ask them to look at your claim again after you get the decision.
Visit this page: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

Yes, and it is best to have as much of the paperwork ready if you can.

Tip
What documents do I need?

• the funeral director’s final bill or the signed contract. Estimated bills will not be accepted.
• prepaid funeral plan documents
• bills or receipts for any documents you have had to pay for to release the money of the person who has died,
• other bills or receipts you may have, for example for the funeral flowers.
• details of any probate or letters of administration

The full list of documents are included on the application form. The Funeral Expenses Payment team can talk through this with you.

You will need full information about the person who has died, such as:

• name
• date of birth
• address
• National Insurance number
• date of death
• date of funeral
• details of any savings
• surviving partner or children.

Yes you can, but you will not be paid until you have the final bill.

If you have told the funeral director that you want to seek financial help from the Funeral Expenses Payment team, and they are helping you with your application, the funeral director can:

• Email the Funeral Expenses Payment team with a full and final bill
• Confirm that they are unwilling to commit to a date for the funeral and/or make any arrangements without verification of payment
• If they still refuse and you cannot pay, for example because you don’t qualify for the payment, you should seek advice and can explore other options. This can include via the Local Authority.

Tip The full and final bill is required because the Funeral Expenses Payment team do not pay deposits. They only make one payment direct to the funeral director.

Yes, in some cases you can.
You can delay the funeral by arranging an unattended cremation immediately after the death of the person who has died. When the ashes of the person who died have been returned to you, you can hold a memorial service.

Yes, it may be possible.  There are two different payments depending on whether your child is an adult or under 18 and in full time non advanced education. 
Only the adult payment is means-tested.  

Tip Support for a child funeral costs:

The Children’s Funeral Fund can help to pay some of the funeral cost for the following:

• A child under 18 or
• A baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy. 

If you require funeral support for a child the funeral director will complete the paperwork for the Funeral Expenses Payment on your behalf.  This service should be free of charge.  Visit these pages for information:

https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/how-to-claim

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funeral-payment-claim-form

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claim-for-costs-of-a-childs-funeral-childrens-funeral-fund-for-england

You may be able to get help in certain circumstances. You would need to discuss these with the Funeral Expenses Payment team and seek specialist independent advice.

Tip
Visit these pages: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/what-to-do-if-someone-dies-abroad/
https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/arrange-the-funeral

Yes, it may be possible if:

• you are on a low income
• you are making an application within 6 months of the funeral
• the person who died left no money or any assets.

You may qualify for Bereavement Support Payment depending on your age, the age of your partner and their National Insurance record.  Some people use this payment towards a funeral.

Tip There are other criteria too. Visit this page for more information: https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment 

This is a separate payment that you may be entitled to if you have lost your partner. This is in addition to the Funeral Expenses Payment.
It will depend on a number of factors like your age, your partners age when they passed away, their national insurance contributions.

Tip
Visit this page for further information: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/claiming-bereavement-support-payment/#h-claiming-bereavement-support-payment

It depends on the type of scheme your partner had, whether it is in payment already and if your partner was contributing or not when they died. It is important to advise the scheme or insurance company promptly after your partner has died, so any overpayment can be avoided, and to start a claim.

Most pensions will have a value and this can provide a lump sum or a pension to any dependants, depending on the scheme rules. It can often be quick to access this, as benefits are commonly held in trust. If this is the case, payments can be often be made to beneficiaries before probate and generally do not form part of the estate.

For more information visit https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/about-pensions/when-things-change/bereavement-what-to-do

Pensions are very tightly regulated in the UK, and there are strict rules to protect pension funds if companies merge or go out of business.
You may be able to trace who has taken over the pension fund.
Use this service to help trace “lost” pensions https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details
Or you can get in touch with us for help.

It is important to contact the insurance company promptly to make a claim. The rules on this can be complex; claims should be made by either the owner of the policy (sometimes called the proposer or policy holder), or by the estate (if your partner was also the owner of the policy).
The insurance provider should help you to make the claim.

Companies in the financial services industry often merge or change their name. However people’s assets are generally protected.
You can trace the new company here https://www.abi.org.uk/data-and-resources/tools-and-resources/register-of-consolidations/

Insurance and other financial products do not pay if there is no claim made. It is sometimes possible to trace these through the unclaimed assets register, but there is a fee for this service. You can find further information here https://www.abi.org.uk/data-and-resources/tools-and-resources/general-faqs/my-relative-recently-died-and-i-am-trying-to-find/