Child Funeral Fund
Losing a child is a loss no parent should ever have to face. When you are grieving, the thought of planning and paying for a funeral can feel like an impossible weight to carry. This guide explains how the Children's Funeral Fund for England can help ease the financial side, so that cost is one less thing to worry about.
What the Children’s Funeral Fund is
The Children’s Funeral Fund for England helps cover the cost of a funeral for a child under 18, or for a baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy. The fund is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect what you receive. There are also no nationality or residency requirements for you or your child.
What the fund covers
The Children’s Funeral Fund can help pay for:
Burial fees, including the cost of the burial plot
Cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
A coffin, shroud or casket, up to £300
Some associated costs, such as removing an implanted medical device before a cremation
The burial or cremation must take place in England to qualify.
How the money is claimed
In most cases, you will not need to make a claim yourself.
If you use a funeral director, they will claim on your behalf for costs such as the coffin.
If you do not use a funeral director, the burial or cremation provider will usually claim the burial or cremation fees directly, so you are not charged for them.
Claims must be made within six months of the date of the funeral.
Other help you may be able to get
The Children’s Funeral Fund covers the costs above. If you have other funeral expenses, further support may be available.
If you or your partner receive certain qualifying benefits, you may be able to apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment towards other costs, including any amount above the £300 coffin contribution.
You may also qualify for support through a charitable grant. Use our grant search to see what you might be entitled to.