Help, extra cheap funeral needed

Fire_Fox

*Robin* wrote: »

I think the current pc term is "basic funeral".

Maybe you should tell Woking Borough Council that, see the link Daska posted!
http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/envhealthservice/pfuneral

noelphobic

The OP's dad died in hospital. Woking's website say they arrange a 'pauper's funeral' only if the person didn't die in hospital. If they did die in hospital then:-

This only applies where the death took place within the Woking Borough and not within a hospital. If the death occurs in a hospital, an application must be made to the hospital.

I don't understand what difference it makes or whether the same would be true of every council, but it needs to be noted.

noelphobic

charliecarrie wrote: »

Thank you all. My dad was on long term disability benefit and rented his house he had no savings, no death plan etc. I have searched for charities but no luck. I spoke to the hospital this morning where he died and explained I had no money they just referred me to the funeral home who thought I would be entitled to something but turns out not, as I am not on any benefits. I will go back and speak to the hospital. I am so sad this shouldn't be a time to come down to money or lack of.

If the hospital still can't or won't help then ask them to refer you to a social worker. Try PALS also, as they may be able to advise.

daska

It's not just Woking, as per post #4 "If he died in hospital then contact the hospital. If he died at home then contact your local council." If the person you speak to at the hospital tries to fob you off ask to see their policy on Hospital Funerals. Here's an example.

[Deleted User]

*Robin* wrote: »

I think the current pc term is "basic funeral".

Actually, the correct term is a "Public Health Funeral", and it's provided by the Council/Hospital, if the deceased has no estate or money, and nobody else can/will pay for the funeral.

Charis

*Robin* wrote: »

The council will provide a basic funeral, usually including coffin, undertaker's services, transport from hospital morgue to chapel of rest then hearse to crematorium, crematorium fees. Oh yes and the vicar/someone to conduct the [short] service.

I'm afraid this is no longer the case. Councils rely on the government's Social Fund and the grounds for receiving assistance are very strict. As an example Havering Council warns people not to arrange a funeral until they know all costs are covered. Very difficult if you have travelled from some distant part of the country to do the business, particularly as without probate/letters of administration it will be virtually impossible to find out how much is in the deceased's estate.

Please read this Government web page to see how stringent the list of requirements is for those asking for help with a burial. You must yourself be in receipt of means tested benefits to qualify. If the deceased had a relative who was equally close but is not in receipt of benefits, then according to this web page, it cancels your right to claim. See section headed 'Who isn't eligible'.

[Deleted User]

Charis wrote: »

Councils rely on the government's Social Fund and the grounds for receiving assistance are very strict.

Havering Council warns people not to arrange a funeral until they know all costs are covered.

Please read this Government web page to see how stringent the list of requirements is for those asking for help with a burial.

The trick is not to ask for assistance, but to refuse to organise the funeral.

Then, if nobody else can/will arrange/pay for it, the Council/Hospital legally have to deal with it.

*Robin*

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Actually, the correct term is a "Public Health Funeral", and it's provided by the Council/Hospital, if the deceased has no estate or money, and nobody else can/will pay for the funeral.

Ah, apologies for my misleading posts; things have changed since I had to support a friend who was in a similar position to OP (we ended up having a whip-round - between all the deceased's friends we raised enough to pay for a decent, though very MSE send-off).

Dunroamin

Many undertakers will allow you to pay in instalments, which should make the situation more manageable for you.

daska

A 'funeral payment' is different to a pauper's funeral. The hospital/council is legally obliged to provide a funeral when no-one else is willing or able. They then claw back whatever funds they can from the deceased's estate. Hence this article in the Telegraph.