Social Funds for Funeral

Roland_Flagg

My father passed away last week at the age of 78 and the family are struggling with the funeral cost. He had no savings and only a very poor insurance plan worth about £1.4k.

I've heard of the social fund for funeral costs.

I'm dealing with the costs and arrangements but the problem with claiming maybe that at the time of his death he was living at a different address than my Mam (they were still married but had been living separate lives for 4 years).

So can I or my Mam put a claim in?

Thanks.

pmlindyloo

Basically you need to be on a qualifying benefit to be able to claim a funeral payment.

Plus if there is any other close relative who is able to pay, you won't get the payment.

Have a read of this:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_help_if_on_a_low_income_ew/help_for_people_on_a_low_income_-_the_social_fund_and_other_welfare_schemes.htm

*~Zephyr~*

I'm sorry for your loss.

If you don't qualify for a benefit payment then the only way the Council will pay for basic funeral costs is if no one steps up to do it. The fact that you have dealt with things so far, including I expect, spoken with Funeral Directors, probably means that the Council will not cough up.

If you've spoken with the funeral directors, explain the lack of funds and tell them you want the most basic of funerals. You don't have to have family cars, flowers, notices in the newspaper etc etc. You don't have to have a service at all if you can't afford it. Don't get into debt for what is, essentially, just a disposal.

Mojisola

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

If you don't qualify for a benefit payment then the only way the Council will pay for basic funeral costs is if no one steps up to do it. The fact that you have dealt with things so far, including I expect, spoken with Funeral Directors, probably means that the Council will not cough up.

You can't be held responsible for the funeral because you've made enquiries - it's only if you've signed a contract with them that you become responsible.

If no-one is able to claim a grant, you can all refuse to deal with things and the council will have to pay for a basic funeral (or the NHS if he died in a hospital) but they will reclaim everything they can from his estate to go towards the costs - which will also happen if a grant is claimed. You can't get a grant on top of whatever money he left.

Roland_Flagg

Thanks for the info.

The funeral will be paid for one way or another by the family, although
a payment plan will probably have to be put in place.

As for the claim, who is better off making the claim?
My mother is a pensioner with no savings so I would assume her,
unless the living apart whilst married is a big issue?

richard9991

If your mother is responsible for the funeral then yes she makes the claim she will have to be in recipt of pension credit Guarntee

specialboy

Isn't £1.4k enough for a basic funeral?

10pence

Sorry for your loss, but don't forget to mention that 'very poor insurance plan worth about £1.4k', as that could be used to pay towards the funeral costs. Remember funeral costs come before all other personal debts/bills of the deceased.

merlin68

A basic funeral comes to £995. What i've seen in this area. You wont get a service or wake though.

konark

Cheapest decent funeral with service will be £2,000 minimum. A lot of funeral directors advertise cheaper but don't include everything.

A funeral payment will pay for the basics, about £1300, but will deduct from this any money the deceased possessed, which is in your case the £1400. So...you'll get nothing.

You could enquire about a social fund budgeting loan to cover the difference, but these are repayable from benefits

If you haven't already signed up with undertakers you can always refuse to act andlet the council foot the bill but they will take the £1400.

SandraScarlett

I'm so sorry for your loss, and what is such a difficult time for all the family. Funeral costs are horrendous and I'm still reeling from what I had to pay earlier this year for my DH.


If your Dad belonged to a Union, or was in any of the armed forces, perhaps because of National Service, it's worth enquiring if they are able to make a contribution.


They did this at DH's Care Home, for one of the residents, and though they weren't given the whole cost, they received a contribution from both, which helped.


And do shop around. Funeral Directors are businesses, and though their prices may be similar, it's worth enquiring. I wish you and your family well, and hope you get some help at this awful time.


xx