How will you pay for the funeral? Funeral Costs


If you arrange a funeral you’re responsible for paying the bill, so first check that there is enough money available.


Funeral costs may vary considerably from one funeral director to another so it is advisable to get more than one quote to compare costs and services.


It may be possible to pay the funeral costs from:


• the estate of the deceased • a funeral scheme or prepaid funeral plan • a life insurance policy or pension scheme


In some cases the deceased’s bank or building society may agree to release funds to pay for funeral costs. The executor may also need to pay and then recover the money from the estate later.


You may also have to pay for other services, for example doctors’ certificates, a minister, newspaper announcements and flowers for the crematorium.


Financial Help


If you are finding it difficult to pay for a funeral that you have to arrange, you may be able to get a social fund funeral payment from the Benefits Agency if you or your partner receives one of the following:


• income support • housing benefit • council tax benefit • job seeker’s allowance (income based) • disabled person’s tax credit • working family’s tax credit


Contact the Bereavement Service helpline on Tel: 0345 606 0265 or visit www.gov.uk/funeral-payments and download the SF200 application form


If no one is able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral, the council or in some cases, the health authority, may be able to help, but only where the funeral has not already been arranged.


You may be able to claim Bereavement Allowance, a taxable weekly benefit paid to you for up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner.


To claim Bereavement Allowance all of the following must apply:


• you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner aged 45 or over when your husband, wife or civil partner died


• You are not bringing up children


• You are under state pension age (currently 60 for women and 65 for men)


• Your late husband, wife or civil partner paid National Insurance Contributions (NICs) or they died as a result of an industrial accident or disease.


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Sheffield Register Office Bereavement Guide


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