Social Fund Helpline 0800 169 0140.

https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

The following information should be treated as general guidance. We are not able to guarantee the availability of a payment from Social Fund, but we do understand how the Benefits Agency makes a decision.

Who is entitled to help?

You may receive help if there is not enough money to pay for the funeral and you are responsible for making the funeral arrangements.

Check what amount of money is available from:

The estate of the person who has died, such as money from bank or building society accounts.

Any insurance policies or lump sum payments made by a pension scheme.

Any savings you have in a bank or building society, National Savings (including certificates or premium bonds) or in cash at home.

The social fund may make a contribution towards the cost of a simple funeral within the United Kingdom, this includes;

• Bringing the body home if the person died away from home but within the United Kingdom
• A standard coffin
• The Hearse for the coffin and bearers
• Contribution towards fees of funeral director
• Cemetery fee or Crematorium fee
• Doctors fees

If you don’t qualify for a Funeral Payment or it doesn’t cover the full costs of the funeral – you may be able to get a Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund.
These are interest-free loans of between £100 and £1500 that you repay from your benefits.