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

[Deleted User]

I'm another one who would hope for a very simple funeral. Cardboard coffin is fine.

PasturesNew

As I understand it, as he's an adult, she doesn't have to "claim the body" so to speak, but to let the authority "get on with it" and have them keep her informed so she can attend the funeral they arrange.

That way there's no charge to her. But, she can't "choose" anything. He'd get a regular cremation, where friends could attend. There'd be no cars/flowers/headstones paid for etc. But she could keep the ashes to deal with in her own way at some future point when she's decided what she'd like.

Spendless

Silvertabby wrote: »

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

Or has he ever worked and there might be something from a former employer? Several years ago the pension provider from where I'd worked for a few years got in touch. It was to do with a deficit in their pension fund but in their correspondence they also said I had a £16K life assurance policy that went with it, that I was totally unaware of.

Worth a check if your friend is able to do this.

zaksmum

The son did work, but never seemed to have any money. He worked for agencies, so no pension scheme. My friend is trying to contact previous employers, including those that have gone out of business, to find out if there were ever any pension arangements.

The son's body has now been released so she needs to get this sorted.
She has spoken to a funeral director who can do the funeral for £2.5K. She has applied for a funeral payment as she is on ESA long term due to her severe disabilities, so she is just praying now that she will get at least some help.

Alice_Holt

May also be worth a look on the turn2us grants website to see if there are any local / occupational charites that might be able to help.

zaksmum

Thanks, Alice, she has looked on turn2us

beecher2

Direct cremation would cost a lot less, and a separate ceremony could be held to spread the ashes which need not cost anything

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost#what-is-a-direct-cremation

zaksmum

The family is going ahead with the funeral for £2.5K now I think.

They will find the money somehow between various other family members to pay half the cost upfront. The funeral place has agreed not to chase them up for the balance, as it often takes some time for the decision on whether to award a funeral assistance payment to come through.