Financial support for funeral costs
Funeral costs can be met in different ways:
- funds from the deceased’s estate
- a funeral scheme or pre-paid funeral plan
- a life insurance policy
Please note, banks or building societies will often freeze the accounts of a person who has died. They may release funds to pay for a funeral but are not under any obligation to do so. Or if there are no funds available at all, the local authority will arrange to pay for the funeral. If this is the case, contact the local authority before making any arrangements. The funeral director can assist you with this.
You may be able to apply for financial support to help for some of the cost of the funeral. Funeral Support Payment is a government scheme for people on a low income who are receiving certain benefits, to help them pay for a funeral.
It can help to pay for:
- death certificates or other documents
- cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
- travel to arrange or go to the funeral
- the cost of moving the body within the UK
- burial fees for a particular plot
You have 6 months from the date of the funeral to make a claim.
More information on the funeral support payment and how to apply can be found on mygov.scot.
Often having to pay for a funeral is an unexpected cost that people haven’t budgeted for. When this happens people can get themselves into debt to try to meet these costs. There is help and advice on what you may be entitled to as well as support to apply for financial support and for debt management.
Local Money Advice Services are available from Glasgow Advice and Information Network (GAIN).