Can I get help with funeral costs?

For people on certain benefits who are arranging a funeral.

Applies to: England, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment if you get certain benefits and need help paying for a funeral you're arranging. It can help with burial or cremation fees, travel, and moving the body, plus up to £1,000 for other costs like funeral director fees.

It won't usually cover the full cost.
It's taken back from any money you get from the estate.
In Northern Ireland, there's a different way to claim, through the Department for Communities Bereavement Service.
In Scotland, apply for Funeral Support Payment.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland

Key facts

Up to £1,000 for other costs
Must get certain benefits
Scotland: Funeral Support Payment

Who can get it

You (or your partner) must get one or more of these benefits:

Universal Credit
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit
Housing Benefit

You might also be eligible if you are getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan. You can still claim if you have applied for one of these benefits and are waiting for a decision.

You must also be responsible for the funeral, and be one of these:

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 and in approved education or training)

A close relative or close friend may be able to claim if the person who died had no partner, or if their partner or a deceased child's parent cannot claim, for example because they live abroad.

The funeral must take place in the UK, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

What it pays for

Cost	How much
Burial fees for a particular plot	Some of the cost
Cremation fees, including the doctor's certificate	Some of the cost
Travel to arrange or go to the funeral	Some of the cost
Moving the body within the UK, if more than 50 miles	Some of the cost
Death certificates or other documents	Some of the cost
Other costs, such as funeral director fees, flowers or the coffin	Up to £1,000

If the person had a pre-paid funeral plan, you can only get up to £120 for items the plan does not cover.

How to claim

You must apply within 6 months of the funeral. This applies even if you are still waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit.

By phone: call the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 151 2012 (Welsh language: 0800 731 0453), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
By post: download and fill in form SF200, then send it to the address on the form.

You can claim before the funeral, but you need an invoice or signed contract from the funeral director. An estimate is not enough.

If you get Universal Credit, you will not get a decision until after your next Universal Credit payment.

How you are paid

If you have already paid for the funeral, the money goes into your bank, building society or credit union account.
If you have not paid yet, it goes straight to the funeral director or whoever organised the funeral.

Paying it back

The payment is taken back from any money you get from the estate of the person who died. The estate is the money, property and belongings they left. It does not include a house or personal things left to a widow, widower or surviving civil partner.

The payment will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Scotland: you can apply for Funeral Support Payment. It has replaced Funeral Expenses Payment in Scotland.
Northern Ireland: there is a different way to claim. Check nidirect.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Make a claim

Common questions

Which benefits qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment?

You or your partner must get Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit. A Support for Mortgage Interest loan can also count.

How long do I have to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment?

You must apply within 6 months of the funeral, even if you are still waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit.

Can I claim a Funeral Expenses Payment before the funeral?

Yes, but you need an invoice or signed contract from the funeral director, because an estimate is not enough.

Do I have to pay back a Funeral Expenses Payment?

It is taken back from any money you get from the estate of the person who died.

Official sources

1.Get help with funeral costswww.gov.uk/funeral-payments
2.Funeral Expenses Payment (Northern Ireland)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/funeral-expenses-payment
3.Funeral Expenses Payment: how to claimwww.gov.uk/funeral-payments/how-to-claim
4.Funeral Expenses Payment: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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