Help with funeral costs

[Guest Another Spartacus]

I'm posting this for a close relative who sadly lost her adult son this week.

 

 

He was on benefits for mental health problems when he died.

 

 

The funeral is yet to be arranged but where does she stand.

 

 

Although she is retired herself, she does not and is not entitled to any other benefits but only just manages on her pension and private pension.

 

 

She is by no means wealthy, so what I would like to know is, will she be able to pay the funeral director in monthly instalments or will she be expected to find the full cost of the funeral immediately.

[rebel11]

Hi AS

 

Here's some info:-

 

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

 

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/paying-for-a-funeral

 

http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/finance/Pages/funeral-payment.aspx

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It never goes on the income related benefits of the deceased. If the deceased has insufficient funds/goods to pay for a funeral and no close relative either can or doesn't want to pay for a funeral then the government will pay for a funeral, this is called a public health funeral. The local authority pay and will try to claim back from the deceased's estate but otherwise will foot the cost. They will arrange everything such as basic coffin, crematorium at the cheapest time (often the start or end of the day) and cremation. The mother will need to approach a funeral director about whether they accept installments, I am unsure about this but am doubtful and that is why funeral plans are popular which are a way of paying in advance.

[Guest Another Spartacus]

Thank you for your information.