Help With Funeral Costs
As an independent, local funeral home, we're looked after by a small team who stay involved from your first call right through to the funeral itself — so you're never passed between departments or left chasing an update. We're also very familiar with claiming a Funeral Expenses Payment from the DWP: if you or the person arranging the funeral receives Universal Credit or certain other benefits, you may be entitled to help towards the cost. Our packages work alongside this support, and it often results in little to no contribution from entitled families. Call us any time with questions — no obligation, just honest guidance.
How It Works
You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you're arranging. It can help pay for 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 £1,000 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director's fees, flowers or the coffin. The payment will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral, and how much you get depends on your circumstances — including any other money available to cover the costs, such as from an insurance policy or the deceased person's estate.
If the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan, you can only get up to £120 to help pay for items not covered by their plan.
How The Money Is Paid
If you've already paid for the funeral, the payment is made into your bank, building society or credit union account. If you haven't paid yet, it's paid directly to the organiser of the funeral (for example, the funeral director).
Benefits You Must Get
You (or your partner) must get one or more of the following:
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
You might also be eligible if you're getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan, and you can still claim if you've applied for one of these benefits and are waiting to hear back.
Rules On Your Relationship With The Deceased
You might be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment if you are:
- the partner 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)
If a close relative of the deceased (such as a sibling or parent) is in work or not getting a qualifying benefit, you might not get a Funeral Expenses Payment.
If You're A Close Relative Or Friend
If none of the above apply, you might still be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment if:
- the deceased did not have a partner when they died
- the partner of the deceased or parent of a deceased child cannot claim (for example, they live abroad or are in prison)