Funeral Expenses Payment

Overview

A Funeral Expenses Payment (often referred to as a Funeral Grant) is a government scheme that helps people on a low income cover funeral costs, if they receive certain qualifying benefits.

Who Can Claim?

You (or your partner) must be getting one of the following qualifying benefits:

Universal Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings)
Housing Benefit
Disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit, which includes a child element

If you’ve applied for a qualifying benefit but haven’t received a decision yet, the DWP may delay their decision about your Funeral Expenses Payment until your benefit is approved.

Who Can Apply?

You must be the person accepting responsibility for the funeral costs, even if someone else is making the arrangements.

You can apply if you are:

the partner of the person who died
the parent, son or daughter of the person who died
a close relative or friend of the person who died
the parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy
the parent of a child who has died who was under 16, or under 20 and in full-time approved education

Who May Be Excluded?

Even if you are a close relative, you may not be eligible if:

The person who died had a partner at the time of their death
The person who died had a parent, adult son or daughter at the time of their death
Another close relative of the person who died (such as a sibling) was in closer, or as close, contact with them

However, you may still qualify if:

The other relative is also on a qualifying benefit, or
They were estranged from the deceased and not expected to be responsible, or
They fall into one of a number of specific categories (for example, being a full-time student or living outside the UK)

What Does a Funeral Expenses Payment Cover?

A Funeral Expenses Payment can help cover:

Burial or cremation fees
Travel costs for you to arrange or attend the funeral
Moving the body more than 50 miles within the UK
Death certificates or other legal documents necessary to release assets of the person who has died

You may also get up to £1,000 towards other funeral expenses (e.g. funeral director’s fees, flowers, other transport costs).

Note: The payment usually won’t cover the full funeral cost. The amount depends on whether there is any money available from the deceased’s estate or insurance.

When Can You Claim?

You can claim any time from the date of death up to 6 months after the date of the funeral.

Need Help?

Our bereavement advisors are trained to guide you on eligibility for Funeral Expenses Payment.

Call us on 0800 086 8887 to learn more.