Funeral costs

unforgiveable

Hello, appologies in advance if posted in the wrong place...

On Monday my father-in-law passed away. All our family is extremely upset and we still can't believe what happened...

But the thing that worries me and my husband a lot is the funeral costs. My husband is the only child and most of the expenses will be falling on our shoulders, the bill has come up to 2200 pounds :eek:
Now as far as I know the government will only help with funeral costs if you're on benefits. My husband's working and I'm a housewife. But that doesn't mean to say that we can afford the insane costs... We just don't have the money.

My father-in-law had no savings, no property or anything else of any importance, so we're facing the bill alone and we just can't do it!

Is there any help for working people?
Thanks everybody

seven-day-weekend

unforgiveable wrote: »

Hello, appologies in advance if posted in the wrong place...

On Monday my father-in-law passed away. All our family is extremely upset and we still can't believe what happened...

But the thing that worries me and my husband a lot is the funeral costs. My husband is the only child and most of the expenses will be falling on our shoulders, the bill has come up to 2200 pounds :eek:
Now as far as I know the government will only help with funeral costs if you're on benefits. My husband's working and I'm a housewife. But that doesn't mean to say that we can afford the insane costs... We just don't have the money.

My father-in-law had no savings, no property or anything else of any importance, so we're facing the bill alone and we just can't do it!

Is there any help for working people?
Thanks everybody

Can't the rest of the family help out?

Sorry I can't help about other assistance as I don't know this information.

s12s

you need to contact the DSS - or jobcentre plus it would be these days. I am fairly sure it is based only on the deceased's income so if there is nothingm and i mean nothing then i think they pay up to £1500, you would not get the full costs unless they have raisesd the level. You say nothing significant but if thats £100 in an account then it will be used to reduce whats due. If they pay out and you later find that there is estate you didn't know about the sum has to be paid back.

sorry i can not be sure if they assess the 'family' as well, you should get info on the jobcentre plus website.

cattie

If you are not in receipt of any means tested benefits then I think you'll find that you'll get no help.

The only other thing is to refuse to arrange the funeral & perhaps then the council will take responsibility, but it will be very basic & what used to be termed a paupers funeral.

How about asking the funeral director for the cost of their basic service & also if they would allow you to do some kind of split payment plan to lessen the financial load of having to find the money all in one go?

unforgiveable

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Can't the rest of the family help out?

Sorry I can't help about other assistance as I don't know this information.

When I said "All our family" I meant me, my hubby and the kids.

He didn't really have anybody else but us... Divorced years ago and ex-wife's not around.
A couple of friends, but they're similar to my father-in-law - skint, can't really help out.

unforgiveable

s12s wrote: »

you need to contact the DSS - or jobcentre plus it would be these days. I am fairly sure it is based only on the deceased's income so if there is nothingm and i mean nothing then i think they pay up to £1500, you would not get the full costs unless they have raisesd the level. You say nothing significant but if thats £100 in an account then it will be used to reduce whats due. If they pay out and you later find that there is estate you didn't know about the sum has to be paid back.

sorry i can not be sure if they assess the 'family' as well, you should get info on the jobcentre plus website.

Been on their website, they cover the costs if you're on certain benefits which we're not.
Father-in-law left literally nothing, not a pound, flat and furniture wasn't his, zero in bank account...

unforgiveable

cattie wrote: »

How about asking the funeral director for the cost of their basic service & also if they would allow you to do some kind of split payment plan to lessen the financial load of having to find the money all in one go?

That's what we're gonna do... See where it takes us

SuziQ

Looks a bit grim I'm afraid

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017717

angie_baby

I went through this with my mum, the co op allowed me to pay the remainder of the balance monthly, my repayment was about £40 a month.

Uncertain

I can't offer much practical advice on this one but I would like to say how sorry I am for your loss and the resulting situation.

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of money that seems "normal" to be spent on funerals / weddings / Christmas etc. This is not in any way a religious comment but somehow we get swept along with this need to "put on a show". I cannot imagine your dear departed father-in-law would wish you to put yourselves in debt on his behalf. I certainally wouldn't want to impose that on anybody for me. What matters is the relationship you had with him when he was alive, not the "show" you put on now.

I would urge you to try and see it this way, calmly explain your reasons to anybody who questions your decision and then let them please themselves.

All the best.

sunnyone

£2,200 is very cheap for a funeral today.

sunnyone