Funeral Costs (gov.uk get help with funeral cost)

Freepost

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81858936#Comment_81858936

So, from what you say, the deceased estate amounted to a bank account with £3700 in it and the funeral cost were £4600 but the £3700 is greater than the £945 + £1000 available from the DWP so ….… no help from the state. It would seem that if you try to help yourself a little bit but don't quite manage it, then the state won't help at all but if you make no attempt, then 100% assistance.

Clearly, what I should have done is had the state pay the funeral director the £1945 and then approached the bank to pay the balance, any money remaining, £4600 - (£1945 + £3700) = £4600 - £5645 = £1045 could then have been refunded to the DWP. You live and learn!

Thanks for your help

F.

HillStreetBlues

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funeral-payment-claim-form

OP have a look at the guidance

It even talks about using a crematorium in the local area.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81859007#Comment_81859007

The £945 is a fake figure it's not correct. You are also misreading the £1000, there is more than £1000 available, the £1000 is just for certain items "other funeral expencses"

Morglin

the DWP used to fund £800, and now it’s £1k. Not much good, as my late DHs cost £6k, But, they will only pay for the absolute basics.

Silvertabby

My sympathies on your loss. Even when it's expected, it's still a dreadful shock.

When my sister died 20 years ago she had several benefits that I had to switch off. The attitude of the benefits advisors seemed to be that if one family member is on benefits, then everyone must be - and gave me the (then) £800 funeral grant claim form amongst other information.

But the funeral grant was means tested for the deceased as well as the applicant, and as my sister had £1K in unspent benefits that immediately ruled the grant out.

Even without those £1K of assets, the form explained that not only must the claimant be on means tested benefits (I obviously wasn't) nor must parents, spouses, children, siblings or anyone else equally liable for the funeral expenses. I did wonder how anyone could possibly qualify for this payment

Freepost

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81859033#Comment_81859033

Hi, Could I ask you to clarify what you mean by the £945 being a fake figure because, the DWP told me that they contacted the local council who said they could undertake a cremation for £945 …. it seems a little difficult for me to argue this. The same is true for me misreading the £1000 when the figure is quoted on the gov.uk website.

I do hope that I'm not coming across as argumentative, I simply don't understand and feel somewhat out of my depth here. I'm also finding this very difficult, this is my daughter and I feel shame in asking for somebody else to pay for her funeral.

Thanks for your understanding.

F.

huckster

The £945 is what the local crematorium charges for a cremation. This is about right, as if someone died of no fixed abode, had no family or friends, no possessions, this is what the crematorium would charge local authority in the area the person died. Locally to me this about what is currently charged.

If you add the £945 cremation cost to the £1000 that could be added towards other funeral costs this would mean £1945 was available. However, the Gov.uk website says that the deceased estate is deducted, so if there was money in Bank and e.g. jewellery, other possessions to sell that meant that £1945 was available for family to pay for the funeral, the Government would not help with funeral costs.

There are providers of basic funerals in most areas that charge about £2000. You would have to phone around and explain. The crematorium may be able to help with details of funeral providers that can provide a basic service.

sheramber

The local authority only pay for a basic funertal, no frills, no fancy coffin etc

As you bought what you call a 'modest' funeral the cost exceeded what the local authority pay for.

If your daughter had not had the money in the bank to cover a basic funeral at £1945 then they would have paid, but since your daughter had enough money to cover a basic funeral no payment is made.

Murphybear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81865421#Comment_81865421

I would possibly qualify as I am on benefits as is my husband. The only family I have is a brother who is in a care home with Alzheimer’s 😿😿😿

Silvertabby

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871036#Comment_81871036

Sorry. We are all so very different.