What if I can’t afford to pay for the funeral?
Some families will struggle to pay for a loved one’s funeral, no matter how hard they try. In this instance, there are several options that may be available to you…
Public Health Funeral – the local authority or hospital can arrange a public health funeral if there is no money in the estate to pay for the funeral, or when there are no friends or family to arrange it. This is usually a cremation, with the time and date of the funeral being set by the local authority. There is usually a very simple service, which friends and family are able to attend. Things such as funeral cars and flowers won’t be included.
Funeral Expenses Payment – this is a government scheme for people that are on a low income and are receiving certain benefits. This payment aims to support you in paying for a loved one’s funeral. It won’t typically cover the whole bill, but things such as the death certificates, cremation/burial fees, funeral transport and some of the funeral director’s fees are usually included. If the deceased has savings or an estate, you may be required to pay this money back.
There are some instances where a family may be entitled to additional money. These include;
- Veterans and armed forces personnel – when someone dies in service, the armed forces will cover most funeral costs. Veterans may also be entitled to financial support from the government. In addition to this, the Royal British Legion may be able to provide financial support to families of veterans and ex-armed forces personnel.
- A child, or young person – you may be entitled to financial support from the government if you are the bereaved parent or guardian of a stillborn baby, child or young person. The Children’s Funeral Fund will cover some of the funeral costs for children under 18 and stillborn babies born after 24 weeks.
You can find out more about the support you may be entitled to through the government website. Alternatively, reach out to your local authority or Citizen’s Advice to find out more. There are many UK charities that may also be able to secure financial help to pay for funerals. If you have any questions, our team will do our best to support you and point you in the right direction.
