We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

What happens when Life Insurance is not enough cover for funeral expensives

My dad never bothered with life insurance or anything like that, so I took out cover when he was older, but he is only covered for just over a thousand pounds. We wont be able to afford to cover extras. I have heard the the LA help towards costs if you are on certain benefits, but what if you are not? Then what happens? I am only asking as I wish to know so that when that time comes I know who to go to or apply to for help with this. I realise that it would be a cheap funeral as to dad never being responsible to take out anything years ago. And I could only afford to take out a bare minimum myself cause that's all I can afford to pay. And even that is a struggle at times to keep up. Any sugs? ideas? I mean even the service and cars are enough without everything else. I know that people dont like to discuss these things, but I think that people should accept that we live and then we die. And its expensive whatever way you look at it, and if people faced facts more then the people left behind would not be left with all the stress and worry of, not enough cover for it, what do I do when it comes etc.

Comments

  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    There is help available from the government, but only if you are on a benefit:

    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Bereaved/DG_10018660

    Otherwise, undertakers are usually able to help out by accepting payment in instalments.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 30,113 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Will your dad have any estate? Could it come out of that?

    If you don't qualify for benefits then could you save a little each week in advance?

    If you can't then you will need to have a very very minimal funeral.

    If there is no one to pay then the coucil picks up the bill, but it really would be very very basic if they do that.
  • hi Lisyloo. My dad has nothing, no savings and lived in a council house. all he has was his pension and DLA which the home now have to pay for that and the LA pay other half. Myself and husband are poor as well. Unfortunately there is no money at all and the pot is empty.
  • Hi Quentin, for us to pay money in installments with out situation would take us years to be honest. Dad has no assets, nothing.
  • 1jim
    1jim Posts: 2,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I guess the funeral has to come from the estate (whatever there is of it), I guess the local authority would help (why not give them a call) but funerals dont need to cost a fortune (and you may not get much of a say if LA are paying...I would expect cremation as opposed to burial, probably no cars for relatives etc). Give them a ring and see
  • Astaroth
    Astaroth Posts: 5,444 Forumite
    There are grants applied for via the Job Centre if you cannot afford the funeral, why not however donate his body to medical research (ie training medical students etc) and therefore only need to pay for a simple memorial service/ event?
    All posts made are simply my own opinions and are neither professional advice nor the opinions of my employers
    No Advertising or Links in Signatures by Site Rules - MSE Forum Team 2
  • thanks for all your help on this site with this matter
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.6K Life & Family
  • 262.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.