Who can Claim Help with Funeral Costs?

Who can Claim Help with Funeral Costs?

22nd October 2026 by Mears Family Funerals  

If you are arranging a funeral in the UK, you may be able to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain income-related benefits and you are the person the Department for Work and Pensions decides should reasonably take responsibility for the funeral. In practice, that usually means a close family member, partner, parent or child who is organising the arrangements and meets the benefit rules.

Many families ask us who can get Funeral Expenses Payment because the rules are not always obvious when you are grieving. The payment can help, but it does not usually cover every cost. Knowing early on what may be paid, what documents are needed, and where there may still be a shortfall can make funeral planning more manageable.

What Funeral Expenses Payment is and who it is for

Funeral Expenses Payment is a government payment for people on a low income who need help paying for a funeral in the UK. It is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through the social security system. Scotland has a separate scheme called Funeral Support Payment, so the process and rules are different there.

The payment is intended for the person who is arranging the funeral, not simply any relative of the person who has died. The decision maker looks at two main points. First, whether the applicant is receiving a qualifying benefit or support. Second, whether it is reasonable for that person to accept responsibility for the funeral costs.

This is why two people in the same family can be treated differently. One person may be on a qualifying benefit and have taken on the arrangements, while another may not qualify or may be considered the more appropriate person to pay. The rules are designed to avoid public funds being used where another close relative could reasonably meet the cost.

When families come to us at Mears Family Funerals, we explain this as early as possible. It helps to know that the claim is about both financial circumstances and family responsibility.

Which benefits can help you qualify?

Eligibility usually depends on receiving a qualifying income-related benefit or support at the time of the claim, or in some cases shortly before the funeral. The list can change, but commonly includes benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit at a rate above the family element, or Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element.

Some people may also qualify if they receive support for a partner or child through one of these benefits. The exact position depends on the current rules and on your household circumstances.

This is where timing matters. If you have made a new claim for a qualifying benefit and are still waiting for a decision, you may still be able to claim funeral help once that benefit is awarded, provided you apply within the permitted time limit. It is important not to assume that a delay means you have no options.

Because benefit rules do change, we always suggest checking the current government guidance before relying on any list. If you are unsure, we can still help you plan the funeral, explain likely costs clearly, and discuss options that may keep the arrangements within budget.

Whose funeral can you usually claim for?

The payment is usually claimed for the funeral of a partner, parent, child, baby, close relative, or close friend where there is no one else more reasonably expected to take responsibility.

In most straightforward cases, the relationship is easy to show. A husband, wife, civil partner or long-term partner arranging the funeral will often be accepted. Parents arranging a child’s funeral, or an adult child arranging a parent’s funeral, are also common examples. A sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or in-law may also be accepted, depending on the family situation.

What the Department for Work and Pensions checks is whether there is another close relative of the person who died who is not on a qualifying benefit and who could reasonably pay instead. For example, if a deceased person had several adult children, the decision maker may look at which of them was closest, which one is arranging the funeral, and whether another child with sufficient means should take responsibility.

That is often the most difficult part of the assessment. It is not simply a family tree exercise. They may consider contact, involvement, practical responsibility and the wider circumstances. If the person who died was estranged from certain relatives, that can be relevant. If another relative cannot be contacted, that may also matter.

The rules can feel intrusive, but they are part of how claims are decided. If you are worried that your family situation is complicated, it helps to gather clear information before applying.

What costs may be covered and what may still need paying

Funeral Expenses Payment can help with certain necessary funeral costs, but it does not usually meet the full funeral bill.

The payment may cover burial fees for a particular grave, cremation fees, certain travel costs, the cost of moving the body within the UK in some circumstances, and the cost of death certificates or other documents needed for the claim. It can also include a capped amount for other funeral expenses, such as the funeral director’s fees, coffin and related services.

That cap is one reason families can still face a shortfall. Even where the claim is successful, the contribution for broader funeral costs may not be enough to cover the full arrangements chosen. If there is money in the estate of the person who died, that can also affect what must be repaid. Funeral Expenses Payment may need to be paid back from the estate, although not usually from a house still lived in by a surviving partner or certain relatives.

This is why it is important to discuss the funeral budget from the outset. We offer different types of funeral arrangements, including Bespoke Funerals, a Basic Funeral and Direct Cremation, so families can make informed choices based on both personal wishes and likely funding. If you need to compare options carefully, our team can also talk you through arrangements over the phone, as explained in our guide to arranging a funeral remotely.

Some additional items are often outside what the payment will fully cover, such as floral tributes, newspaper notices, a more elaborate coffin, limousines, special venues, extra printed stationery, Memorials, Fingerprint Jewellery, Ashes into Glass, Cremation Urns, or a detailed Order of Service. Families may also choose elements such as a Traditional Horse Drawn Funeral, Chapel of Rest visits, or specialist products including Cremation Caskets, which can affect the overall cost.

Where there are international arrangements, Repatriation costs are separate and can be much higher than a standard UK funeral. In those cases, families need clear advice early on.

How to apply and what information you will need

You normally need to claim within 6 months of the funeral date. A claim can usually be made from the date of death, even before the funeral takes place, as long as you have an invoice or signed agreement from the funeral director. If you are waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit, the time limit still matters, so do not leave the claim until everything else is settled.

Applications are usually made by phone through the Bereavement Service, and in some cases by completing the relevant form if requested. You will need details about yourself, the person who died, your relationship to them, and the funeral arrangements.

You should be ready to provide documents or information such as:

• your National Insurance number
• details of the qualifying benefit you receive, or have claimed
• the deceased person’s full name, date of birth and date of death
• details of any close relatives of the deceased
• the funeral director’s name and address
• the funeral invoice, estimate or contract
• details of any money left by the person who died, including insurance policies, savings or prepaid funeral plans

Payment can be made directly to the funeral director if the bill has not yet been paid. If you have already paid, it may be paid to you, depending on the circumstances.

We make sure our paperwork is clear and suitable for claims, so families have the documents they need. If you are speaking with one of our local managers, we can also explain what to ask for and when. If you want to see where we can support you in person, you can find our funeral branches across South East London, North Kent, Aylesbury and Southampton.

What to do if you are not sure you qualify

If you are unsure whether you can claim, the best next step is to check your current benefit position and speak to the Bereavement Service as soon as possible. If you have applied for Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit and are waiting for the decision, keep records and do not miss the funeral payment deadline.

At the same time, speak openly with your funeral director about budget. We do this every day, and it is far better to have a practical conversation at the beginning than to discover later that the claim will not cover everything. We can explain the difference between a Basic Funeral and Direct Cremation, or help you build a more personal service while keeping control of costs.

If family responsibility may be disputed, write down who the close relatives are, what contact they had with the person who died, and why you are arranging the funeral. This can help if the claim is questioned.

If you need support beyond the funeral itself, some families also need guidance on Wills & Probate, Memorials or later remembrance choices. Others want time to think about personal touches after the funeral, whether that is flowers, a tribute item, or a memorial keepsake. Our articles on remembrance and memorial support can help with those next steps.

At Mears Family Funerals, part of The Steven Mears Group, we believe clear information is part of good care. Whether you need immediate help, a written estimate, use of our Funeral Price Estimator, advice on Funeral Etiquette Guides, or support with more specialised arrangements such as Repatriation, Memorials, Cremation Caskets, Cremation Urns, Fingerprint Jewellery, Ashes into Glass, or an Order of Service, we will guide you through the process with honesty and respect.

Click for more information about getting help with funeral costs and the Funeral Expenses Payment