Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about planning in advance of a death.
How do I record my funeral wishes?
Funeral wishes are often recorded alongside a will. It is a good idea to give your funeral wishes to family members or friends who will be taking care of matters following your death. You can use the Down to Earth funeral wishes guide.
Will saving money for my funeral affect my benefits?
Saving money for your funeral, especially if it exceeds certain thresholds, can potentially affect your eligibility for some means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit. If your savings are below a certain threshold (currently £6,000 for Universal Credit and £10,000 for Pension Credit and Housing Benefit for those above state pension age ), your benefits are not affected. However, if your savings exceed the threshold you will lose some of your benefit payments, and if they are over £16,000 for Universal Credit it will stop. There is no capital limit for Pension Credit but once you have more than £10,000 your payments will reduce.
Can a pre-paid funeral plan be a good idea?
A pre-paid funeral plan can be a good idea but it is important to ensure the plan you choose meets your needs. Money Helper (Provided by the Money & Pensions Service), has useful information.
What happens if there is no funeral plan?
If there is no funeral plan the funeral will need to be paid from:
- The deceased person's estate (if there are any funds available through bank accounts, insurance or pension payments, or any other death benefits, e.g. from an employer)
- A Funeral Expenses Payment/Funeral Support Payment grant (if eligible)
- Contributions by family members or friends (if possible)
- If needed there are sometimes charities who can also help towards funeral costs.
What if there is no-one to carry out my arrangements and wishes?
The council where you die has a legal duty to carry out a burial or cremation, this is called a public health funeral. If you die in hospital, the hospital will sometimes do this instead of the council, using the NHS budget, but they have no obligation to, so this differs around the country.
You can find out more details of how a public health or hospital funeral is carried out in your area by contacting your council or hospital directly. Some councils provide information about public health funerals on their websites. The funeral will usually be a cremation and if you have a strong wish to be buried it’s a good idea to make this known in writing.
For questions about the different ways to raise money towards funeral costs, you can return to the main FAQ menu.
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