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Help with funeral costs
The non-means-tested Children’s Funeral Fund for a child, and the Funeral Expenses Payment for people on benefits — what each covers and how to claim.
Written by the benefitmoney.co.uk editorial team · Last reviewed 10 September 2026
Two kinds of help exist, and it is worth knowing both. For a child’s funeral there is the Children’s Funeral Fund — and it is not means-tested. For an adult’s funeral, if you are on a qualifying benefit and responsible for arranging it, there is the Funeral Expenses Payment.
A child’s funeral — the Children’s Funeral Fund
In England, for a child under 18 or a baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy, the Children’s Funeral Fund covers burial or cremation fees (including the doctor’s certificate) and a coffin, shroud or casket up to £300. It is not means-tested — what you earn or have saved does not matter. The funeral director usually claims it for you.
Source: GOV.UK — Children’s Funeral Fund for England↗. Opened 10 September 2026.
Funeral Expenses Payment
If you get a qualifying benefit and are responsible for the funeral, the Funeral Expenses Payment can help with burial or cremation fees, some travel, moving the body more than 50 miles, death certificates, and up to £1,000 towards other costs such as the funeral director, a coffin or flowers.
- If the person had a pre-paid funeral plan, the extra-costs part is limited to £120.
- Any money from the estate of the person who died is taken back from the payment.
- Claim within 6 months of the funeral.
Source: GOV.UK — Get help paying for a funeral (Funeral Expenses Payment)↗. Checked 10 September 2026.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
In Scotland, apply for the Funeral Support Payment instead — you cannot claim it as well as the Funeral Expenses Payment. In Wales, the DWP Funeral Expenses Payment applies. In Northern Ireland, it is the Funeral Expenses Payment / Funeral Payment through nidirect.
Source: mygov.scot — Funeral Support Payment↗. Opened 10 September 2026.
Other help
Your council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund may help with immediate costs, and a credit union can be a low-cost option if you need to bridge a gap. Free, impartial guidance on funeral costs is available from Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper.
Frequently asked questions
Is there help for a child’s funeral?
Yes. In England the Children’s Funeral Fund covers burial or cremation fees and a coffin up to £300, and it is not means-tested. Scotland, Wales and NI have their own arrangements.
How much is the Funeral Expenses Payment?
It covers burial or cremation fees plus up to £1,000 for other costs — but only £120 towards extras if there was a pre-paid plan, and money from the estate is taken back.
Do I have to be on benefits?
The Funeral Expenses Payment requires a qualifying benefit. The Children’s Funeral Fund for a child does not — it is not means-tested.
How long do I have to claim?
Claim the Funeral Expenses Payment within 6 months of the funeral.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Children’s Funeral Fund for England↗ (not means-tested; coffin up to £300). Opened 10 September 2026.
- GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment↗ (up to £1,000 extras; £120 with a pre-paid plan; taken from the estate). Checked 10 September 2026.
- mygov.scot — Funeral Support Payment↗. Opened 10 September 2026.
We are sorry for your loss. This page is independent — it is not run by the DWP, Social Security Scotland or GOV.UK. The pages linked above are the current position.