Funeral Benefit in the UK – Funeral Payments

The passing of a loved one is an exceptionally difficult time, which also requires many decisions connected with the burial of the deceased, and this can be quite a costly undertaking, especially when your loved one passed away abroad. You should know, however, that some countries have a funeral benefit designed to help people in this unusual and overwhelming situation. How is the funeral benefit defined in the United Kingdom? Who is entitled to it, and how much is it? What conditions must be met to apply for Funeral Payments? Let’s find out.

What is the Funeral Payments benefit?

The funeral allowance in the UK is known as Funeral Payments and is a benefit intended for people on low incomes, helping to fund the burial or cremation of the deceased. This benefit is paid and coordinated by the social fund in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Under the law, the funeral benefit is payable in the country where you regularly pay your insurance contributions. This means that if you have a permanent job in the UK, that is where you use all your benefits, including those connected with death and funerals.

What requirements must be met to obtain this benefit?

Those entitled to a funeral payment in the United Kingdom are people who had one of the following relationships with the deceased:

• partner,

• parent/person responsible for a child,

• friend (detailed conditions explained below),

• parent of an unborn child.

A partner in this case means a spouse, a person you live with in a cohabiting relationship, or a partner with whom you are in a civil partnership.

A friendship is the most difficult basis for applying for Funeral Payments, and you may not receive financial help if the deceased had a partner when they passed away, if the deceased has a parent or children (this does not apply to those under 18, full-time students, people in hospital or in prison, or people who do not live in the United Kingdom), or if the deceased has someone they were closer to than to you.

As regards the financial conditions for obtaining a funeral payment in the UK, you should know that you are probably entitled to this allowance if you or your partner receive one of the following benefits:

• Council Tax Benefit,

• Income Support,

• Housing Benefit,

• Pension Credit,

• Working Tax Credit including the disability element,

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,

• Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element,

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

How much is the funeral allowance in the UK?

The funeral payment covers the costs connected with the burial or cremation of the deceased. In addition, it can cover other expenses such as a coffin, flowers, etc., up to £700.

The funeral payment can cover:

• burial fees,

• cremation fees,

• £700 for funeral expenses, e.g. funeral services, flowers, a coffin,

• arranging transport or travel to the funeral,

• the costs of transporting the body within the United Kingdom.

We fully understand that arranging a funeral or the transport of the body to Poland is a task we often cannot face during the difficult period of mourning, which is why it is worth placing it in the hands of people with the necessary knowledge and experience. We encourage you to use the services of our partner - Polski Dom Pogrzebowy provides comprehensive funeral services and offers full support in preparing for the final farewell to the deceased.

Where can you find help with the formalities around the funeral benefit?

You can apply for a funeral payment in the UK from the date of death up to three months after the day of the funeral. To obtain this kind of support, you need to complete the relevant form, which can be found on the website of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or at your local Jobcentre Plus office.

We will be glad to help you submit a correct application and arrange a dignified burial for your loved one.