If you have lost a loved one and are struggling with the finances for the funeral, don’t despair as there are avenues to explore.
Bank
You may approach the bank where the deceased maintained their account. The bank make pay directly to the funeral services provider against their invoice.
Social Fund
However, if the deceased did not leave an estate to pay for their funeral and the family is unable to pay for the funeral, a close relative or a close friend can make an application to the Department of Works and Pension (DWP) via the Social Fund.
You could be entitled to receiving a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you meet all the following conditions:
- You are organising the funeral in the UK
- You are receiving or have claimed certain benefits or tax credits
- You are a close relative or a close friend of the deceased
Please note that even if you fulfil the above conditions, you may still not be eligible if another close relative of the deceased is in work.
You can contact Social Fund to check your eligibility by calling the Social Find at the numbers below at the
Social Fund Contact Number:
Telephone: 0800 169 0140
Textphone: 0800 169 0286
Funeral Expenses Payment can help pay for some of the following costs:
- burial fees for a particular plot
- travel to arrange or to go to the funeral
- the cost of moving the body within the UK, for more than 50 miles
- death certificates or other documents
You can also get up to £1,000 for any other funeral expenses. The exact amount depends on your social and financial circumstances.
A claim can be lodged up to 6 months of the funeral taking place or before the funeral if the invoices for funeral services have been raised.
Bereavement Service Helpline:
You can claim using the below number:
Telephone: 0800 731 0469
For further guidance, please use the following link to the Government website.
Support for Child Funeral Costs
There is also Support available for child funeral costs if the child was under 18 or if the baby was stillborn. This support is not means tested, which means that your financial status is not considered for eligibility. For more details, please follow the below link:
https://www.gov.uk/child-funeral-costs?step-by-step-nav=4f1fe77d-f43b-4581-baf9-e2600e2a2b7a
Local Charities
Local Muslim Charities and some mosques also provide financial assistance for meeting funeral related expenses. You may want to contact your local mosque in this regard.
Muslim Burial Fund is one such nationwide Charity that helps the families in need of financial help for funeral expenses. Please visit their website at