When you have an unexpected funeral to plan for, costs can become a big problem. The financial aspects of a funeral is something no one really talks about, but it is certainly a concern. At a time when you’re already dealing with so many emotions and stresses, the worry of how to pay for the casket, burial or cremation, and everything that goes with the memorial can be even more stressful.
There are a few options available to you, however.
Pre-Paid Funeral Expenses
In some cases, the deceased may have made arrangements for their funeral expenses. This may include everything from pre-paying at a funeral home to taking out insurance or setting aside a portion of their savings. This will usually be included in the last will and testament, so you can see if this is a possibility.
Family Contributions
If the amount is too much to comfortably pay yourself, you may wish to reach out to family members or even close friends and ask if they would be willing to contribute to the funeral expenses. If the family is large enough, each person can add a few pounds and it will significantly reduce the overall cost to the members arranging the funeral.
Funeral Expenses Payment
In the UK, you may be eligible to receive benefits if you or your partner receive government benefits such as child tax or pension credit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, or any number of other types of support. The deceased must also be someone close to you, such as a partner, relative, or a child.
While this fund won’t pay for all the funeral expenses, it can help you reduce the amount you need to pay yourself. This can be helpful if you are really struggling. The actual amount will depend on a few factors, so you can’t predict how much you’ll receive.
Crowdfunding
Using a site like GoFundMe can be useful for sharing your story and people can donate money to help out. This tends to work better when you have a large number of friends and family who are interested in helping you. However, in some cases, people are touched by the story of your loved one and will be moved to send financial aid.
Credit Card
Finally, you may need to put the expenses onto a credit card, which is essentially a short-term loan. This can help you get through the next month or two while you collect the money to pay it off. Turning to credit may not be ideal, but it does allow you to move on with the funeral and then worry about finding the money after everything is taken care of.
Losing someone is always hard, but you still have many other things to deal with during your grief. If you can get the expenses out of the way, it will be easier to make decisions and manage the many tasks that come with burying someone close to you.
Do you need help planning a funeral? Contact
Normington & Sons to learn how we can help you.
