You could get Funeral Payment if you’re on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging.
How much you get depends on your circumstances and if you’re eligible.
You must pay back the Funeral Payment if you receive money from the deceased’s estate.
The estate includes any money or property they had but not a house or personal things left to a widow, widower or surviving civil partner.
How much you get depends on your circumstances.
Funeral Payment can help pay for:
Check the claim form for full details of what Funeral Payment covers.
If the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan, you’ll only get help for items not covered by the plan.
How much you get also depends on any other money available, for example from an insurance policy or the deceased person’s estate.
Funeral Payment is paid into your bank, building society or credit union account if you’ve already paid for the funeral.
The money will be paid directly to the organiser of the funeral (for example, the funeral director) if you haven’t paid yet.
To get Funeral Payment you must:
You might be able to get other help to pay for the funeral if you’re not eligible for Funeral Payment.
Contact the Social Fund to check if you’re eligible.
Social Fund
Telephone: 0345 603 6967
Textphone: 0345 608 8553
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
You must be one of the following:
You (or your partner) must get one or more of the following:
You can still claim Funeral Payment if you’ve applied for these benefits and you’re waiting to hear about your claim.
If you were responsible for a deceased child but you’re not their parent, the ‘absent’ parent must get one or more of these benefits.
You must apply within 3 months of the funeral, even if you’re waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit.
You can make a claim before the funeral if you’ve got an invoice from the funeral director. You can’t make a claim if you’ve only been given an estimate.
If you get Universal Credit, you won’t get a decision on your claim until after your next payment.
Claim by phone by calling the Bereavement Service helpline.
Bereavement Service helpline
Telephone: 0345 606 0265
Textphone: 0345 606 0285
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
An adviser will also help you claim any other bereavement benefits you might be entitled to.
You can also claim by post. Download and fill in the claim form, then send it to the address on the form.
You can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal if you disagree with a decision about Funeral Payment.
Nearest tube – Elephant & Castle underground station (Northern and Bakerloo lines).
Nearest Railway Station – Elephant & Castle
Buses from Elephant and Castle – ask bus driver for Burgess Park. Bus numbers: 12, 171, 148, 176, 68, 484, 42, 40, 45