Assistance with funeral costs from the social fund

dellfo

gizmo111 wrote: »

So what happens if someone refuses or cannot raise the cash to pay?

I'll let you know. After paying for my rent and household bills I'm left with £110 a month. I know this because I spent the last 2 years paying £65 of that back to Barclays to clear my overdraft.
My Mum is in a similar situation.

Initial estimates for the funeral are approx £2000 which will take my mum and I over a year to pay back.

If one of us were to be unemployed, the vast majority, if not all of the funeral costs would be covered.

Jowo_2

gizmo111 wrote: »

So what happens if someone refuses or cannot raise the cash to pay?

One of my relatives, who is on benefits, found a local funeral home that accepted payment of the funeral from her benefits with no upfront fees (whereas the Co-op would not accept her custom until she paid them £700 upfront).

A chap from the local Salvation Army volunteered to lead the service because she had money for a vicar.

Having low income should not be a bar to a dignified funeral as undertakers are sympathetic and experienced with dealing with families who have this unexpected expense.

Here's the specific info on the criteria for having funeral expenses paid by the state

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

bestpud

dellfo wrote: »

I'll let you know. After paying for my rent and household bills I'm left with £110 a month. I know this because I spent the last 2 years paying £65 of that back to Barclays to clear my overdraft.
My Mum is in a similar situation.

Initial estimates for the funeral are approx £2000 which will take my mum and I over a year to pay back.

If one of us were to be unemployed, the vast majority, if not all of the funeral costs would be covered.

But if you were unemployed, you'd still have your debt hanging over your head so you'd be no better off!

There is no point getting cross about benefits - what you need to be doing is shopping around for the best deal.

Oldernotwiser

dellfo wrote: »

I'll let you know. After paying for my rent and household bills I'm left with £110 a month. I know this because I spent the last 2 years paying £65 of that back to Barclays to clear my overdraft.
My Mum is in a similar situation.

.

If your mother is in the same situation as you then she would be better claiming Pension Credit and receiving 130.00 per week and getting her rent and CT paid. Don't you yourself receive tax credits?

I think that you are fortunate to have someone to share the funeral expenses as well as someone to grieve with. Surely your father would be saddened to know that his daughter was so reluctant to fund part of his funeral? Is a year really such a long time to give for a husband and father?

DX2

Op even if you were eligible for a funeral payment, there would be a high chance that it would not be enough to cover even a basic funeral. Sorry

Jowo_2

OP - put you and your mother's details into the 'Entitled to' (turn2us) website which is a benefits eligibility calculator.

gizmo111

Is a year really such a long time to give for a husband and father?

Depends on the husband and father I guess.

AsknAnswer2

gizmo111 wrote: »

So what happens if someone refuses or cannot raise the cash to pay?

Then the local council will dispose of the remains in a burial or cremation in accordance with Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984

Oldernotwiser

AsknAnswer2 wrote: »

Then the local council will dispose of the remains in a burial or cremation in accordance with Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984

What people of the OP's parents' generation will think of as a "pauper's funeral"!

AsknAnswer2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

What people of the OP's parents' generation will think of as a "pauper's funeral"!

Indeed. The options are limited.