Help with funeral expenses when living abroad?

Ginger_Snaps

Hello,
My Mother ( a british citizen) who lived in Spain, died a few weeks ago. My stepfather has been told by someone that there is some sort of funding availaibe to help with funeral costs. He says it is about 2000 Euro ?
I'm not sure why this would be, as I don't think people get any help if they live here, unless they are in hardship. Does anyone have any idea what he might be refering to? Or where I could find out?
Thank you.

Errata

This is the DWP info on funeral grants.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/sb16-a-guide-to-the-social/funeral-payments/

Non UK deaths may be considered for a grant but it doesn't seem to be as automatic as it is for those who die in the UK. AFAIK for UK deaths a grant has to be applied for before any funeral arrangements are made. HTH

Oldernotwiser

Errata wrote: »

This is the DWP info on funeral grants.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/sb16-a-guide-to-the-social/funeral-payments/

Non UK deaths may be considered for a grant but it doesn't seem to be as automatic as it is for those who die in the UK. AFAIK for UK deaths a grant has to be applied for before any funeral arrangements are made. HTH

The only people who can claim this when the deceased lives abroad are people who claim certain benefits. Seeing that the benefits listed can't be claimed outside the UK, there would need to be a situation where the person responsible for arranging the funeral lived in the UK.

(I think that makes sense!)

dzug1

Could it be something claimable from the Spanish authorities?

No idea how you would check it though - the Spanish funeral director might know.

Ginger_Snaps

Thanks folks. I think it will be 'no'. It would be impossible to claim before arrangements are made as according to Spanish law it all has to be sorted within 24 hours, and the burial/cremation done within 7 days! It seems to take at least 2 weeks here. I'm a bit puzzled as to why there would be any funding for this anyway, unless it is for very poor souls who have no means of paying. And then it looks like it's repayed out of the estate of the deceased.
Many thanks.

dmg24

A friends mum passed away whilst living in Spain with few assets and they were not able to receive any assistance, so I would assume the answer to be no.