Friend's son died, family can't afford funeral costs

Silvertabby

Did the son work? Is there any chance that he may have some occupational pension benefits payable on death?

A friend who used to work for a funeral director tells me that they did 'Council contract' funerals for those unable to pay for the funeral themselves. The contract only paid for the most basic of funerals, but the family were allowed some input. Not all funeral directors do this, so your friend may have to ring around.

The government funeral grant is probably less than £1K now, and so won't be enough for even the most basic cremation. When my sister died 5 years ago, I assumed that I would be able to claim the grant as she had been on long term disability benefits and had no assets - but the grant is means tested for the claimant as well as the deceased. We didn't qualify as we weren't on benefits ourselves - and the claim form made it quite clear that the means test also applied to all other close family members.

Thomas_The_Tank_Top

Go on then.

If you can't afford a funeral and the Government only pays half.

Who pursues you for the other half of the costs?

Silvertabby

Go on then.

If you can't afford a funeral and the Government only pays half.

Who pursues you for the other half of the costs?

The funeral director. When my sister died (see my post no 12 above) the funeral director made it quite clear that signing the contract made me personally and legally responsible for the whole amount, regardless of any Government grants payable. No contract, no funeral.

carebabe

I've been to 2 funerals in recant years where mourners not invited to cremation. One celebration of the deceased's life was in a Local Community Centre and a few family members & friends gave a brief tribute to the deceased. Some photos on display. Afterwards there was a simple buffet. This need not cost too much and could be a possibility if standing back and letting local authority attend to burial/cremation.

p00hsticks

meg72 wrote: »

Not so, when my Son died I received grant of approximately half the cost, rest was found by family and friends.

You're right - my apologies to the OP.
I was thinking of bereavement payments (which are for partners only) https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-payment/eligibility and not funeral payments, which she may be eligible for https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview

densol_2

TELLIT01 wrote: »

It's a sad situation but, as others have advised, the local authority needs to be advised that family members can't pay and the LA will then make the arrangements.
Much as it may hurt, the mother will be doing herself no favours if she goes into debt to pay for the funeral herself.

I agree with this.

Its sad -very sad tho

Mojisola

TELLIT01 wrote: »

It's a sad situation but, as others have advised, the local authority needs to be advised that family members can't pay and the LA will then make the arrangements.

The LA (or the hospital, if he died there) arranges a simple, dignified ceremony.

Family members will be kept informed so that anyone who wants to attend can do so.

TELLIT01

Mojisola wrote: »

The LA (or the hospital, if he died there) arranges a simple, dignified ceremony.

Family members will be kept informed so that anyone who wants to attend can do so.

If it's anything like friends experience of the LA / hospital they will use every trick in the book to try to apply pressure on the family to pay. Their situation was very different, the brother who had died had stolen 10s of thousands of pounds from the mother, leaving her flat broke. He had no money either. Massive pressure was still applied to the sister of the deceased to contribute, despite the LA and hospital being in full knowledge of the background.

melanzana

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If it's anything like friends experience of the LA / hospital they will use every trick in the book to try to apply pressure on the family to pay. Their situation was very different, the brother who had died had stolen 10s of thousands of pounds from the mother, leaving her flat broke. He had no money either. Massive pressure was still applied to the sister of the deceased to contribute, despite the LA and hospital being in full knowledge of the background.

In fairness, Could anyone blame the LA for trying to weed out those who can, but will not pay for a relative's funeral?

That is not the case here presumably.

The man will be buried or cremated if the LA/Council establish that there is no means from relatives to do it.

densol_2

melanzana wrote: »

In fairness, Could anyone blame the LA for trying to weed out those who can, but will not pay for a relative's funeral?

That is not the case here presumably.

The man will be buried or cremated if the LA/Council establish that there is no means from relatives to do it.

There is NO requirement from a relative to pay. Its not about weeding out those who 'could' The only money relevant is money in the deceased estate.