There is a lot of support available with funeral costs

If you are concerned about funeral costs, then please talk to us as we want to help you arrange a funeral within your budget. We are experienced in guiding people on possible financial support as well as other ways to lower the cost of the funeral, such as using our silk floral tributes in place of flowers. 

Government Help

There are two main sources of government financial support, the Bereavement Support Payment which has eligibility criteria, but is not means-tested, and the Funeral Expenses Payment which is means-tested.

Bereavement Support Payments

The Bereavement Support Payment is not means-tested, but eligibility is dependent on several factors such:

  • The applicant needs to be under state pension age
  • The person who has died must have paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year
  • You must have been married or in a civil partnership, or living together as though married (and in receipt of or eligible for Child Benefit or pregnant)

If eligible, it is usually paid as a one-off payment followed by up to 18 monthly payments.

The higher rate is: a one-off payment of £3,500 followed by 18 monthly payments of £350

The lower rate is: a one-off payment of £2,500 followed by 18 monthly payments of £100

Helpline: 0800 151 2012

Funeral Expenses Payment

The Funeral Expenses Payment is means-tested and 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
  • the cost of moving the body within the UK, if it’s being moved more than 50 miles
  • death certificates or other documents

You can also get up to £1,000 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin.

The payment will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral.

How much financial support you are entitled to 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.

Helpline: 0800 731 0469

Help with probate (and other practical tasks)

Trust Inheritance

‘My mother passed away last week and I had found it difficult to have clear information especially on probate from solicitors. Chris explained all aspects clearly which took an enormous amount of worry from me.’ Review

Whether you plan to administer probate yourself, or need more support, then our partnership with TRUST INHERITANCE means that you receive preferential rates, ranging from a free DIY toolkit (worth £300), to significantly subsidised involvement from solicitors. 

If you would like a free, no obligation, chat with them to find out more, let us know.

Blue Light Card Discount

We have partnered with the Blue Light Card discount organisation for the emergency services. The card is used by members of the emergency services, the NHS and the armed forces among others.

If the person arranging the funeral is a member, they can benefit from a 5% discount from our pre-paid plans or from our professional fees in our at-need bespoke funerals.

Grants

Turn2Us

‘The Turn2us Grants Search made everything so easy. Not long after finding a possible grant, I applied and got approval. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.’

Grants Search User review

Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical help to people facing financial insecurity. They have an easy to use Grants Search tool on their website which will match you to grants for which you might be eligible

Down To Earth

Since 2010, Quaker Social Action has run Down to Earth as a way to help those struggling with funeral costs. They provide compassionate and practical support in finding possible grants and other ways to help make the cost more manageable.  

Children’s Funerals

Rosedale’s Support

When we opened in 2004, we made a commitment to provide funerals for babies and young children without making a charge for our services (third party charges may still apply, such as venue costs). 

Children’s Funeral Fund For England

The Children’s Funeral Fund for England is not means tested and can help to pay for some of the costs of a funeral for a child under 18 or a baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy, such as burial or cremation fees. 

The burial or cremation must take place in England.