Help with funeral expenses. A guide for bereaved parents, families and carers

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1 Help with funeral expenses A guide for bereaved parents, families and carers

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3 Help with funeral expenses It s hard enough organising a child s funeral without the added worry of how you will afford to pay for it. If you do not have enough money to pay for a funeral, help is available from two sources: The Department of Work & Pensions, (DWP - formerly known as DSS) Your local council s Department of Environmental and Consumer Services. Social fund funeral payments from the department of work & pensions (DWP) You may be eligible to apply for help towards funeral costs if you, or your partner, are in receipt of certain benefits or tax credits. These benefits include Income Support, pension credit, housing or council tax benefit, child tax credit (at a rate higher than the family element) and/or working tax credit (where there is a disability or severe disability element included in the award). Other means tested benefits may contribute towards reduced funeral costs. You can check with the DWP and ask for Form SF 200 (Funeral Payment). Although your child may have received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Income Support, it is the next of kin s benefits that entitle you to assistance. To qualify as next of kin, you need to be the parent or the closest relative or friend. Where there are several close relatives, the DWP will expect any of those in

4 employment to pay for the funeral. Whoever applies for help from the DWP must prove they are the closest to the deceased and that they are responsible for organising the funeral. There is no guarantee that the DWP will make a payment to you, so before arranging the funeral, check with your local DWP office to see if you qualify for help. They will help you to fill in the necessary forms and you have up to 3 months after the funeral to make a claim. When completing the form you will be asked about: Cash, building society or savings accounts of the deceased Insurance policies of the deceased Any savings that you may have. Form SF216 will be given to you to take to the Funeral Director who will complete and forward it to the DWP after the funeral is over. The DWP will pay towards the funeral costs, however the grant is unlikely to meet all the costs of a funeral. It is advisable to ask for an estimate of a basic funeral and check with the DWP how much will be granted towards the costs. The grant generally will pay towards the funeral directors fees, burial or cremation costs, doctors fees and church fees. Some limited travel costs

5 are covered. The DWP will not pay for a newspaper obituary notice or any catering you organise. Local Council - Department of Environmental & Consumer Services If there is no close family member to take responsibility for the funeral, the local council s Environmental and Consumer Services Department becomes responsible for making the suitable funeral arrangements. They will place a contract with a funeral director who will arrange a simple funeral in consultation with the family. This funeral will cover the cost of a coffin, a hearse, one car for mourners, a cremation or burial service and a newspaper notice. Any related insurance policies can be used towards the cost of the funeral. You will also be required to sign a form of Application and a Declaration stating that you are not in receipt of benefits. You will not be expected, as next of kin, to contribute anything from your savings. This type of funeral generally takes place when there is no apparent next of kin or family. If you need any help in contacting DWP or your local council, please ask us and we will do what we can for you.

6 The Rainbow Pack Information leaflet for bereaved parents, families and carers West Lothian Community Health & Care Partnership Produced by: Medical Photography & Multi Media Services St John s Hospital, Livingston September 2007 Review Date: September 2009, Revision 1