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Help paying for a funeral, if money is tight.

Last verified 6 Jun 2026 · Source GOV.UK Funeral Expenses Payment + Social Fund rules · Publisher: SortedUK Ltd (filed 5 Jun 2026)

If you or your partner get certain benefits, the DWP can pay the burial or cremation fees in full — plus up to £1,000 towards the funeral director, coffin and flowers. It's called a Funeral Expenses Payment (or Funeral Payment). You must claim within 6 months of the funeral, and you can claim before the bill is paid. It usually won't cover the whole cost, but it can take a real weight off at the hardest time. In Scotland it's now Funeral Support Payment instead.

Fees in fullBurial or cremation
Up to £1,000Other funeral costs
6 monthsDeadline to claim
£120 capIf a pre-paid plan exists
Do I qualify? Bereavement Support Payment

Who qualifies?

You can get a Funeral Expenses Payment if all three of these apply:

  • You (or your partner) get a qualifying benefit (list below).
  • You meet the rules on your relationship with the person who died.
  • You're arranging a funeral in the UK (or, in some cases, the EEA or Switzerland).

Benefits you (or your partner) must get

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Housing Benefit
  • A Support for Mortgage Interest loan
You can claim while waiting for a benefit decision If you've applied for one of these benefits and are still waiting to hear, you can still put in your Funeral Expenses Payment claim. Don't let a pending benefit decision stop you — the 6-month funeral deadline still applies.

Your relationship with the person who died

You may be able to claim if you are:

  • The partner of the person who died.
  • The parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
  • The parent or person responsible for a child who died under 16 (or under 20 in approved education or training).
  • A close relative or close friend — if the person who died had no partner, or the partner can't claim (for example they live abroad or are in prison).

What it pays for

There's no single set amount. The DWP pays some costs in full, and caps the rest:

Paid in full

  • Burial fees for a particular plot.
  • Cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor's certificate.
  • Travel to arrange or attend the funeral.
  • Moving the body within the UK, if it's being moved more than 50 miles.
  • Death certificates or other documents.

Capped at up to £1,000

Everything else — the funeral director's fees, the coffin, flowers and similar — is covered up to a maximum of £1,000.

If there's a pre-paid funeral plan — only £120 If the person who died already had a pre-paid funeral plan, you can only get up to £120 towards items the plan doesn't cover. Check what the plan includes before assuming you'll get the full amount.
It usually won't cover everything The average UK funeral now costs roughly £4,000–£5,000. A Funeral Expenses Payment helps a great deal but rarely covers the whole bill, so it's worth asking the funeral director about a simple or direct cremation, and checking the other options further down this page.

How it's paid

  • If you haven't paid yet, the money goes directly to the funeral director.
  • If you've already paid, it's paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

So you do not need to find the money up front before you claim — you can claim as soon as the funeral is arranged.

How to claim

Claim it now — free

Have ready: the funeral director's invoice or estimate, the qualifying benefit you receive, and details of the person who died. Claim within 6 months of the funeral — a hard deadline.

  1. Claim within 6 months of the funeral — this is a hard deadline. Don't wait for probate or the estate to be settled.
  2. Apply online at GOV.UK, or by phone through the DWP Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012 (textphone 0800 151 2012 via Relay UK).
  3. Have details ready — the funeral director's invoice or estimate, the qualifying benefit you receive, and details of the person who died.
  4. If you're refused and you think the decision is wrong, you can ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration, then appeal.
Don't miss the 6-month window The single most common reason people lose out is claiming too late. Probate and estate matters can take many months — the funeral payment claim cannot wait for them. Get the claim in within 6 months of the funeral, even if the estate isn't sorted yet.

Will it be recovered from the estate?

It can be. If the person who died left money or property (their estate), the payment is usually recovered from the estate — not from you personally. The estate does not include a house or personal possessions left to a surviving husband, wife or civil partner. So if there's little or nothing in the estate, you generally keep the payment.

If you live in Scotland

Funeral Expenses Payment has been replaced by Funeral Support Payment in Scotland, run by Social Security Scotland. The qualifying benefits are similar, and the application is through mygov.scot or by phoning 0800 182 2222. Check the Scottish scheme rather than the DWP one if you live in Scotland.

If you're not eligible — other options

  • A child under 18 has died — the burial or cremation fees and the coffin can usually be covered with no means test through the Children's Funeral Fund (England) and equivalent schemes in Wales, Scotland and NI. Ask the funeral director.
  • Public Health Funeral — if there's no one able to arrange or pay for the funeral, the local council can arrange a simple funeral. Contact the council.
  • Budgeting Loan / Universal Credit Budgeting Advance — an interest-free advance you repay from benefits.
  • Charitable help — some charities and the deceased's trade union, employer or faith community may help. Find UK grants.
  • Free advice — Citizens Advice can check everything you may be entitled to.

Free UK support

  • DWP Bereavement Service — 0800 151 2012. Claim by phone + check related help.
  • GOV.UK Funeral Expenses Payment — eligibility + online claim.
  • Citizens Advice — 0800 144 8848. Free help claiming + a full benefits check.
  • Cruse Bereavement Support — 0808 808 1677. Free grief support.
  • Down to Earth (Quaker Social Action) — practical help with funeral costs in England and Wales.
  • Samaritans — 116 123, any time, if grief feels overwhelming.

Funeral Expenses Payment — common questions

What is Funeral Expenses Payment?

A DWP payment that helps cover a funeral you're arranging if you or your partner get certain benefits. It pays burial or cremation fees in full (plus the doctor's certificate, moving the body over 50 miles within the UK, travel and death certificates), and up to £1,000 for other costs like the funeral director, coffin and flowers. In Scotland it's been replaced by Funeral Support Payment.

Who qualifies?

You (or your partner) must get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Housing Benefit, or a Support for Mortgage Interest loan — you can claim while waiting for a decision. You must also meet the relationship rules (partner of the person who died, parent of a child who died, or a close relative/friend if there's no partner who can claim).

How much is it?

No fixed amount. Burial/cremation fees, the doctor's certificate, moving the body over 50 miles, travel and death certificates are paid in full. Everything else (funeral director, coffin, flowers) is capped at up to £1,000 — or just £120 if there's a pre-paid funeral plan. As UK funerals average £4,000–£5,000, it usually won't cover the whole bill.

Is there a deadline?

Yes — you must claim within 6 months of the funeral. You can claim before paying: if unpaid, the money goes to the funeral director; if paid, into your account. Don't wait for probate or the estate to be settled, or you could miss the window.

Will it be taken from the estate?

Usually yes — if the person who died left money or property, the payment is recovered from the estate (not from you personally). The estate doesn't include a home or personal items left to a surviving spouse or civil partner. If there's little in the estate, you generally keep the payment.

What if I'm not eligible?

Other options: the Children's Funeral Fund (no means test) if a child under 18 has died; a council Public Health Funeral if no one can pay; a Budgeting Loan or UC Budgeting Advance; charitable help; and free advice from Citizens Advice. In Scotland, claim Funeral Support Payment via mygov.scot.

Sources Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment) · GOV.UK (How it works + Eligibility + Make a claim). Funeral Support Payment (Scotland) · mygov.scot. Children's Funeral Fund · GOV.UK. Figures read directly from GOV.UK: burial/cremation fees in full, up to £1,000 for other costs, £120 cap with a pre-paid plan, 6-month deadline. Average UK funeral cost ~£4,000–£5,000 (funeral industry data). Free help: DWP Bereavement Service 0800 151 2012 · Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 · Cruse Bereavement Support 0808 808 1677 · Samaritans 116 123. Last reviewed: 6 June 2026.
Your safest next step today

Arranging a funeral on a low income? Claim within 6 months.

If you're on a qualifying benefit, the DWP can pay the burial or cremation fees in full plus up to £1,000 more. You can claim before you've paid — and you don't need to wait for probate. Call the DWP Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012.

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