Help with funeral expenses on a low income

Arranging a funeral while grieving is hard enough. On a low income, the cost can feel impossible: funeral directors often ask for a deposit quickly, and many families feel pressure to choose more than they can afford. In the UK there is state help for people on benefits, cheaper types of funeral that are just as respectful, and rules that make prices easier to compare.

This guide explains what to check first, which payments you can claim, how to keep costs down and what to do if nobody can pay.

Before you sign anything

• Find out whether the person who died had a funeral plan, life insurance, a death-in-service benefit from an employer or a trade union, or savings.
• Banks and building societies will often release money from the deceased's account to pay the funeral director's invoice directly, even before probate.
• Ask whether anyone else in the family is willing to share the cost, and agree who is responsible before you commit.
• Do not feel rushed: ask for a written quote and take a day to compare if you can.

Funeral Expenses Payment and Funeral Support Payment

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Funeral Expenses Payment from the DWP can help if you are responsible for the funeral and receive a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA, Income Support, Housing Benefit or certain tax credits. It can pay for burial or cremation fees and towards other costs such as the funeral director, coffin and flowers, up to a set limit. You must claim within six months of the funeral. Any money in the deceased's estate may later be used to repay it.

In Scotland, the equivalent is the Funeral Support Payment from Social Security Scotland, with similar conditions.

Claim online, by phone or by post, and send the funeral director's invoice. The DWP may pay the funeral director directly, which avoids you having to find the money first.

The payment rarely covers a full traditional funeral, so it is important to know the amount before choosing services. You can still apply if you have already paid a deposit.

Other help that may apply

• Children's funerals: in England, the Children's Funeral Fund means councils and NHS-contracted providers do not charge burial or cremation fees for a child under 18, and it can contribute towards a coffin. Wales and Scotland have similar arrangements, and many funeral directors charge little or nothing for a child's funeral.
• Bereavement Support Payment: if your husband, wife or civil partner died and they had paid enough National Insurance, you may receive a lump sum and monthly payments.
• Universal Credit: report the death quickly, because your award may change; you can ask for a Budgeting Advance if needed.
• Charities and grants: occupational and military charities sometimes help. Quaker Social Action's Down to Earth service gives free guidance to people struggling with funeral costs, and Turn2us lists other grants.

For other one-off support, our guide to one-off hardship grants explains how local welfare funds work.

Keeping the cost down

Funeral directors in the UK must show a standardised price list, so you can compare the same basic service between firms. Options that cost less include:

• Direct cremation: cremation without a service at the crematorium, often followed by a memorial gathering at home or in a community hall.
• A simple funeral package, using fewer or no cars and a plain coffin.
• Using a council crematorium or cemetery rather than a private one.
• Holding the service in a place of worship or community space you already know.
• Arranging the funeral yourself: you do not have to use a funeral director by law, though most people do.

If nobody can pay

When there is no one able or willing to arrange a funeral, the council (or in some cases the hospital) must arrange a basic funeral. This is often called a public health funeral. Families can usually attend, though they have limited say over the arrangements. Talk to the council's bereavement services team before signing any contract if you are worried you will not be able to pay.

Funeral checklist

• Register the death and get copies of the certificate.
• Look for plans, insurance, employer benefits and savings.
• Ask the bank about paying the funeral bill from the deceased's account.
• Check whether you qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment or Funeral Support Payment.
• Compare at least two price lists, including direct cremation.
• Get every quote in writing and keep all invoices for your claim.
• Tell the DWP about the death so benefits are updated correctly.

Loans and payment plans: be careful

Some funeral directors offer payment by instalments; ask whether interest or fees are charged and get the terms in writing. A credit union is usually cheaper than a commercial lender, with interest in Great Britain capped at 42.6% APR. Our page on social and community loans explains other options. Compare the APR and the total amount you will repay, and avoid high-cost short-term credit. If you already have debts, ask a free debt adviser before taking on more.

Prepaid funeral plans have been regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority since 2022. If you are thinking about one for the future, check that the provider is authorised.

Scams to watch for

• Cold calls or messages offering "guaranteed funeral loans" for a fee paid upfront.
• Unregulated funeral plan sellers or firms not on the FCA register.
• Fake online fundraising pages set up in a deceased person's name: share only links created by the family.

If the death has also brought other urgent costs, see our guide to help in a family crisis and the overview of emergency support in the UK.