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Funeral Support Payment
Funeral Support Payment is a one-off funeral grant made by the Social Security Scotland. It is awarded to help with funeral costs such as burial/cremation fees, funeral director’s fees, the cost of a coffin and funeral flowers etc. The amount you receive depends on a number of factors and may not cover the total cost of all funeral services. It is worth remembering that your payment maybe less if the person who died left any money which could cover some of the funeral expenses.
To be eligible for a funeral grant in Scotland
- You must be "ordinarily resident" Sotland
- The deceased must be "ordinarily resident" in the UK
- The deceased must have lived in Scotland
- The funeral must be in the UK
- It is deemed reasonable that it is you or your partner who is responsible for the funeral costs
- You are applying after the person has died and not more than 6 months after the funeral
If all these statements are true, the next check is what benefits you or your partner receive. One of you must receive at least one of the following:
- Child tax credit
- Universal credit
- Income support
- Pension credit
- disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
- Housing benefit
- Income based job seekers allowance (JSA)
- Income related employment and support allowance (ESA)
*It is worth noting that you can still apply for FSP, if you are not yet in receipt of one of these benefits but have applied
How to apply
Online – https://www.mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/how-to-apply
Call 0800 182 2222
Download a form from for over 18 funerals – Funeral Support Payment aged 18 and over – mygov.scot
For under 18s – Funeral Support Payment 17 or under – mygov.scot
Bereavment support payment
Bereavement Support Payment is a payment made by the DWP if your spouse/civilpartner has died within the last 21 months. The bereavement benefits is now also available to parents and carers of dependent children when their cohabiting partner dies.
You can choose to use this money in any way you wish
To be eligible
- you must live in the UK
- you must be under state pension age
- your partner must have paid NI contributions for at least twenty five weeks in one tax year or died as a result of a disease or accident caused by work
The amount of bereavement payment you get varies depending on if you have children and also how soon you apply after your partner dies. You could receive a lump sum of between £2500 and £3500 and monthly payments of between £100 and £350 for up to 18 months. You are not taxed on any of this and only if you have the lump sum at the end of the year could it potentially affect other benefits.
How to apply
Online – Bereavement Support Payment: How to claim – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Call 0800 151 2012
Download a form at – Bereavement Support Payment claim form – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Charitable Grants
There are a number of potential charitable grants out there which could help with funeral payments at this difficult time for you and your family. We at Caledonia Funeral Aid are here to help source any you may be entitled to and/or help you to apply. It is always worth the ask. Be mindful that charities will likely need financial evidence before they release any funds. Here are a few links below of some which are available, though this list is by no means exhaustive!
10 Charity Funds That Help The Bereaved – Funeral Guide
About The CWC – The Care Workers Charity
Veterans UK: contact us – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Grant Administration Services | Fund Administration Services | Charis (charisgrants.com)
How React Can Help • REACT (reactcharity.org
Leukaemia Care – The UK’s leading leukaemia charity
Care and support through terminal illness | Marie Curie
Funeral Expenses | The Charity for Civil Servants (foryoubyyou.org.uk
If you don't qualify for financial support
Funeral costs are not an expense that you have necessarily planned for. So what can you do if you are not entitled to benefits and there are no plans in place?
may be open to an instalment plan instead of a one-off payment. You may be able to negotiate with them a mutually agreed plan.
If there are no viable options available to you, you can apply to the local authority for a public health funeral which they would cover the cost of. This is usually a cremation with a short service at a date and time which they will choose. People are able to attend if they wish. They, however, would not cover any extra costs, such as flowers, cars.
can also be a way to raise money to help with funeral costs. You can set up a tribute page where people can share memories and contribute funds which is then easily shared via social media platforms or emails. This method is becoming more popular and although you may feel awkward asking for help, it is common that people, friends, family often feel honoured to be able to donate. It can actually create a very positive memory of the person you have lost and everyone can partake in this memory giving some comfort. There are different kinds of pages you can use. So it is best to check exactly which one is most appropriate for you. Here are some links to some potential pages –
GoFundMe: No.1 Fundraising Platform for Crowdfunding
Online Fundraising Websites To Raise Money For Anything (fundly.com)
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Caledonia Funeral Aid CIC – a social enterprise managed by Community Renewal Trust (SC566867 registered Orkney Street, G51 2BX) a flagship social enterprise, supported by Social Investment Scotland.
