Funeral expenses payment/bereavement payment help

seville_2003

Hello, thought I'd add to this forum also
I'm needing some advice about paying my Dads funeral director. The funeral has to be paid in 28 days, I currently have £1,100 I can pay but I'm short of the rest and I'm unsure how the funeral director will react to this. Does anyone have any experience of dealing with funeral directors when you're short, do they put a plan in place, does it go to debt collectors?

My dad had an insurance policy but because he was still married to my mother (despite being seperated for over 20 years) it had to be paid into her bank. She was supposed to give me the money but she revealed to me last night she has blew the lot.. nearly 2 grand to my shock(might I add that my Dad brought me up my whole life and I was aware of what she was like) but it was still a shock, I'm in a bit of a situation now and she won't be able to pay it back for months.

So my options: Firstly I had considered applying for funeral expenses payment but I have a few questions about it which make me unsure:

I'm unemployed currently and on universal credit so I believe I can apply..

I believe it will ask on the form about relatives spouse of my father - he has a sister he has not spoken to in over a decade - they wouldn't try and contact her would they? the last thing I would want is her to know I'm applying for this. And would they contact my mother.

Secondly with him having an insurance plan will they look into this - like I say my mother was due it because technically they were still married. Will they have expected this to go to the funeral?

Finally I had suggested my mother applying for the bereavement payment has anyone ever applied for this?

She is worried it will effect her other benefits - but am I right in saying it only effects them if you have some of the lump sum remaining after a year?

Also if she applies for bereavement payment and I apply for funeral expenses payment will they expect her to pay for the funeral with the bereavement payment?

Any help would be appreciated, a confusing and stressful time. Thankyou

poppy12345

Your mother and father were still married so it depends what benefits, if any your mother is claiming. See link.
https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

Robin9

Is there any money in your father's bank or building society's accounts ?

pmlindyloo

I would be inclined to ask for a funeral payment since you are on Universal Credit and (presumably) the bill for the funeral is in your name.

This is the form that you can complete for a payment:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/814180/SF200-adult-funeral-expenses-payment-claim-form.pdf

As you will see there are questions asked about relatives of the deceased so you could explain the circumstances of both your mother and your father's sister. I am presuming there are no other close relatives and no money in the estate for the funeral expenses.

If the application is refused then you could ask to make a a repayment plan with the funeral director but do explain that you have applied for a funeral payment.

No assets from your father that you could sell?

Sorry for your loss.

Cyclamen

If your father was in the armed forces the British Legion might be able to help with a grant.

poppasmurf_bewdley

If you are the executor of your late Father's will, I would have thought the insurance payment should have been made to you, not to his wife.

gbhxu

And with a surviving partner, I doubt if you'll get anything.

xylophone

If you are the executor of your late Father's will, I would have thought the insurance payment should have been made to you, not to his wife.

Some policies pay "outside the estate" and therefore the executor is not necessarily involved.