For those of us on Universal Credit or other benefits, help may be available with funeral costs for a loved one.
How much can I get?
From Spring 2020, the government fund known as Funeral Expense Payments offers up to £1000. This is an increase of 43 per cent on the previous figure of £700, the first rise since 2003.
What can the money be spent on?
The Funeral Expense Payment be used towards some of the costs of the following:
- burial fees for a particular plot
- cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
- travel to arrange or go to the funeral
- the cost of moving the body within the UK, if it’s being moved more than 50 miles
- death certificates or other documents
You can also get up to £700 (£1,000 from 2020) for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin.
Who counts as a loved one?
To be able to claim the payment, we must have a close relationship with the person who has died. The government defines this as being:
- the partner of the deceased when they died
- a close relative or close friend of the deceased
- the parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy
- the parent or person responsible for a deceased child who was under 16 (or under 20 and in approved education or training)
The government guidance says that we might not be eligible for the payment if another close relative of the deceased is in work.
How do I claim the payment?
To claim the Funeral Expense Payment, we must complete a claim form.
There are two types of claim: one of the deceased love one is a child, and another of they are an adult.
The adult form is available to read and download here.
Guidance notes to help make a claim are available here.
The child form is available to read and download here.
Guidance notes to help make a claim are available here.
For more information on the Funeral Expense Payment scheme, go to the government’s web page here.
Page updated December 2019.
