In the first instance, please contact the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for advice.

You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you are arranging.

If you receive money from the deceased’s estate, your Funeral Expenses Payment will be deducted from any money you get 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.

Funeral Expenses Payment can help pay for some of the costs of the following:

• Burial fees for a particular plot
• Cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
• Travel to arrange or go to the funeral
• Cost of moving the Person who has died within the UK (if more than 50 miles)
• Death certificates or other documents
• Up to £1,000 for other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers & coffin

The payment will not usually cover all costs for the funeral.  How much you get depends on your circumstances. This includes any other money that is available to cover the costs, for example from an insurance policy or the deceased person’s estate.

Check the claim form notes for full details of what Funeral Expenses Payment covers.

If the Person who has died had a pre-paid funeral plan, you can only get up to £120 to help pay for items not covered by their plan.