Financial help

Funerals can be expensive and it’s not something we ever really expect to have to deal with. The financial side of funerals can come as a big shock. You want to do everything right and it can become stressful fast, so we’ve gathered some tips and helpful resources to help you with the financial side to funerals.

Firstly, if you are worried about the costs involved with the funeral, ask the funeral director! They are there to help and advise you.

Government help:

Funeral Expenses Payment:

You may be eligible for the Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain benefits:

• Universal Credit

• Income Support

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Pension Credit

• Housing Benefit

• the disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit

• Child Tax Credit

This payment can help you pay for things like burial fees, cremation fees, travel to the funeral, cost of moving the body, documents like the death certificates and up to £1000 for other fees, such as a funeral director, flowers etc.

If you have already paid for the funeral, the government will pay the money to you. If you have not paid for the funeral, the money will be paid straight to the organisor, for example a funeral director.

If you’re not eligable for this, you can also look at a Public Health Funeral. This is usually a cremation, which you are able to attend, with a short service but it will not include things like flowers.

Another thing that you can look into is money in the estate. Sometimes, you may be able to access their bank account or take money from the estate before probate to help cover the costs. More information about this option is available on the Money Helper website.

• Funeral Expenses Payment

  The Government website has a full guide - click here.

• Public Health Funeral

  This guide includes information on public health funerals and is easy to follow.

  As well as guidance on the Goverment website.

Community support

Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Many community members have used crowdfunding and Just Giving to fund funerals.

It can be difficult to ask for help, but often the people around you, including those you might not expect, will want to support you.

Also if your parent was part of a community group, they may be able to help financially.

Ways to make the funeral less costly

A funeral doesn’t have to be extravagant. Often, funeral-specific items like flowers can be more expensive. When you’re organising a funeral it can feel like there is a way things ‘should be done’, but that’s not true. These are some tips for helping with the finances while still allowing you to have the day you want.

• Bring your own flowers

  Flowers from a florist are often quite expensive. If you want flowers, it might be better to pick your own. You can spend some time arranging your own bouquets using wildflowers or bunches from the supermarket. This way, you can achieve the same look and make the flowers more personal.

• Transport

  Transportation can be quite costly, so finding your own way there or arranging carpooling with family and friends can be very helpful. It's common to feel pressured to arrive in fancy black cars, but in reality, nobody is concerned about how you arrive as long as you're there and they can offer their support.

• Catering

  Again, this is something we often build up and put a lot of pressure on, when really no one is thinking about the spread you put on. A personal way to do catering could be to ask family or friends to make a dish that reminds them of your person and bring it. Another way could be to provide hot drinks and an assortment of their favourite biscuits. Make it personal and don’t worry about fancy catering.

• The wake

  Hosting the wake in a pub or a restaurant can be expensive. It can be helpful to consider other options, such as hosting it at home or choosing something more personal. For example, if their favourite place was your local beach, why not have the wake be a walk along the beach.