Government support with funeral costs

There is some statutory financial support available to help with funeral costs. 

Funeral benefits often cover less than half of the average cost of a funeral in the UK.

To apply you must be responsible for the funeral costs and in receipt of qualifying benefits.

 try our new funeral expenses payment eligibility checker

If your financial circumstances were connected to the person who has died, your benefits may have been affected and you may need to make a new application first. If you haven’t already, you could call the DWP Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012.

If you are not currently in receipt of benefits, you may now be eligible – you can check by completing a benefits calculation online. Also, take a look at our guide to finances after a bereavement.

Bereavement Support Payment

If you are under state pension age and your partner has died, you may also be eligible for the Bereavement Support Payment. Eligibility varies depending on whether you were married/civil partnered or living together as if you were:

Did you know?

  • Eligibility for funeral payments is dependent on your benefits, not those of the person who has died. 
  • Funeral and bereavement payments are grants and do not need to be paid back. 
  • You can apply in writing or over the phone, and you may be able to apply online for the Bereavement Support Payment - check the links above for more detail. 

Checklist

  1. Do you need to have your benefits reassessed?
  2. Are you eligible for a funeral payment?
  3. Are you eligible for a bereavement support payment for surviving partners?

Hints and tips

Eligibility for a funeral payment is not just dependent on your benefits, it may also rely on the benefit status of other close family members. The government will also need to agree that it is reasonable for you to take responsibility, as opposed to anyone else.

Please see our factsheets for more information:

It is also advisable to read the relevant government guidance notes before completing the application:​

Next - Work related grants

 

Rachael's story

Rachael was arranging her mother’s funeral and felt quite distressed.She completed an application for the Social Fund Funeral Payment over the phone but received a letter stating her claim was rejected. A Down to Earth team member was able to work with Rachael to clarify her situation and the reasons for the rejection. We were able to give the Bereavement Service the information they needed and Rachael’s application was successful. 

 

Here are some definitions that will be helpful when completing the eligibility checker:

  • Partner: A person who lived with the person who has died as if they were married.
    This should also be the case where two people are married to each other or in a civil partnership and living in the same care establishment, or were partners immediately before moving into a care establishment.
  • Immediate Family Member: A parent or child of the person who has died. (Including if they were adopted)
  • Close Relative: Step-parents, parents-in-law, step-children, children-in-law, siblings, half-siblings and siblings-in-law of the person who has died. (Including if they were adopted)

  • Close Friend: A relative of the person who has died, who was not in the groups above (for example a grandchild) or a friend of the person who has died. (The relationship did not necessarily have to last for a long time -the depth of the relationship is more important than the duration.)

If you are accessing the eligibility checker using a mobile phone, you may find it easier to complete here: https://qsa.typeform.com/FEPeligibility