Paying for Funeral

Sew_Late

Hi, My cousin's brother has died.  He was on PIP and Universal credit due to kidney problems.  He has recently died.  My cousin is not in receipt of benefits but doesn't have a lot of money.  She has not spoken to her brother in 39 years following relationship breakdown.  She has refused to pay for the funeral.  What happens now.  

TadleyBaggie

AI says:

If you can't afford a funeral, you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain benefits, or the local council may arrange a Public Health Funeral if there is no money in the estate and no one else can pay. Contact your local council as soon as possible to discuss the options available, as each local authority has its own procedures. 

Government Funeral Expenses Payment

• You may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and need help to pay for a funeral you are arranging. 

You can apply by calling the Bereavement Service helpline on 08001512012or visiting the GOV.UK website. 

If you are in Scotland, you can apply for a Funeral Support Payment. 

Public Health Funeral

• If there is no money left in the deceased's estate and no one can pay for the funeral, the local authority must provide one. 

This is often called a Public Health Funeral and includes a coffin and a funeral director. 

The arrangements are made by the local authority and may include a simple service and cremation. 

You should contact your local council to discuss this option and understand their specific procedures. 

You may be able to attend a Public Health Funeral, but be aware that some councils may not allow families to attend or receive the ashes back. 

Keep_pedalling

Where the deceased person had no assets and no one is prepared to pay for the funeral then the LA will need to step in with a public health funeral. 

https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/people-communities/public-health-funerals/

pramsay13

Is your cousin's brother not your cousin also?

Sew_Late

TadleyBaggie said:

AI says:

If you can't afford a funeral, you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain benefits, or the local council may arrange a Public Health Funeral if there is no money in the estate and no one else can pay. Contact your local council as soon as possible to discuss the options available, as each local authority has its own procedures. 

Government Funeral Expenses Payment

• You may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and need help to pay for a funeral you are arranging. 
• You can apply by calling the Bereavement Service helpline on 
  

  08001512012
  or visiting the GOV.UK website. 
• If you are in Scotland, you can apply for a Funeral Support Payment. 

Public Health Funeral

• If there is no money left in the deceased's estate and no one can pay for the funeral, the local authority must provide one. 

This is often called a Public Health Funeral and includes a coffin and a funeral director. 

The arrangements are made by the local authority and may include a simple service and cremation. 

You should contact your local council to discuss this option and understand their specific procedures. 

You may be able to attend a Public Health Funeral, but be aware that some councils may not allow families to attend or receive the ashes back. 

Thank you - there's no help from the government if you work but can't pay.  She rang the 08001512012 and they said unless she gets benefits they won't help.  They never told her about the Public Health Funeral. 

Sew_Late

pramsay13 said:

Is your cousin's brother not your cousin also?

Yes, but as I say fractured family and we see one cousin but not other cousins.  In any event, nothing to do with the query really. 

flaneurs_lobster

Just type "public health funeral" followed by the name of the Local Authority where the deceased lived into Google. 

WillowLeaf

flaneurs_lobster said:

Just type "public health funeral" followed by the name of the Local Authority where the deceased lived into Google. 

where the deceased died, not lived, it seems.

Savvy_Sue

No-one can be forced to arrange a funeral, but if you arrange one, the FD will send you the bill and expect to be paid. If not arranging a funeral, the cracked record technique may be required: I am under no obligation to arrange or pay for Fred's funeral and I will not be doing so. 

However, if it turns out Fred had more than expected, don't expect to see any of it before the LA have been reimbursed for the funeral. 

Sew_Late

Savvy_Sue said:

No-one can be forced to arrange a funeral, but if you arrange one, the FD will send you the bill and expect to be paid. If not arranging a funeral, the cracked record technique may be required: I am under no obligation to arrange or pay for Fred's funeral and I will not be doing so. 

However, if it turns out Fred had more than expected, don't expect to see any of it before the LA have been reimbursed for the funeral. 

She doubts there's anything but has no problem with anything in his account paying for his funeral.  She isn't interested in taking anything.