Help with funeral cost?

bargainaddict

Hi guys, my niece-in-law has recently lost her father to alzheimers. She and her partner are on a low income but not low enough to get any benefits as they have no children. Her Dad was in a home for his last years and had no money/savings/insurances.

Neither of them really understand what is going on and she says she has been told she has to pay the crematorium fees of approx £350 and will not get this back. She doesn't have a spare penny and is now pulling her hair out over the worry of it all and talking of trying to get a loan. Apparently she can't get a social fund payment as they are not on any benefits.

Can anyone shed any light or give me any advice I an pass on to her. She is hoping to go to the CAB tomorrow.

Thanks in advance

babychick

I'm sure that everyone is entitled to a funeral c/o the state - if you google help with funeral costs then that may come up with something. Everyone's entitled to a funeral - what happens to those without family otherwise??? I'll have a look and see if I can find anything too...

montycat_2

Tell her to go to the benefits office .There is a lengthy form to fill in but they can help you fill it in .
I filled it in and got some help .

exil

According to the govt website you can get help if you are on:-

Income Support?
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance?
Pension Credit?
Housing Benefit?
Council Tax Benefit?
Child Tax Credit which includes an amount higher than the family element?
Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award?

The other tack is to see if any other relatives are living who can help out. It shouldn't necessarily be the closest relatives who pay.

bargainaddict

Thanks for the replies. They receive no benefits, just both on low incomes and working hard to pay their debts, and for various reasons no-one else to pay for the funeral. I really thought because he had no money and was in a care home, his funeral would be taken care of, but this doesn't appear to be the case. Looks like she has to pay at least the £300+ cremation fees.

montycat_2

Can you at least fill in the forms .It won't harm and you maybe surprised at the outcome .

Hugs to all concerned

inkie

The cremation fees seem to be high - round here they are £98 ish

exil

As I said, see if other relatives can help out, relatives are never in short supply if there's a legacy to be handed out.

Janepig

I'm surprised it's only £300 - what about the newspaper notice (I'm sure they cost about £70/£80), funeral directors fees, cost of the coffin, printed order of service at the crem, cars, etc....

Oh, and are you sure he didn't leave any money? It's my understanding that people who are in a nursing home have their pension kept safe for them which they can then use as "pocket money" so to speak. What has happened to this money of his if this was the case?

Despite the fact that he was in a home, I'm surprised your NIL was so naiive as to think she wouldn't have to pay for his funeral, considering she's the next of kin!

Jxx

MJMum

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Morglin

Your NIL does not have to pay for the funeral.

If she has no money to bury the deceased, then the state will do it.

It will be a normal funeral and others are allowed to attend.

Just tell the authorities that there is no one willing to take responsibility for his funeral.

Lin