Losing someone close is hard enough without the added worry of how you’ll pay for their funeral. If you’re on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may be entitled to apply for Funeral Expenses Payment, a government grant that can help cover essential costs like burial fees, cremation charges, and travel expenses.
At Go Direct Cremations, we understand that funeral costs can feel overwhelming, especially when money is tight. That’s one reason we offer simple, dignified direct cremation services at a fraction of traditional funeral prices. Whether you’re eligible for government support or simply looking for a more affordable option, knowing what help is available can make a real difference during a difficult time.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about the Funeral Expenses Payment: who qualifies, what it covers, and exactly how to submit your claim. We’ll also explain the deadlines you need to meet and what to do if your application is refused. By the end, you’ll have a clear path forward, so you can focus on what matters most.
Check whether you can claim
Not everyone qualifies for Funeral Expenses Payment, and the rules are quite specific. You need to meet two main conditions: you must be receiving certain benefits or tax credits, and you must have a qualifying relationship with the person who died. Understanding these criteria before you start your application saves time and helps you avoid disappointment later on.
Who qualifies for Funeral Expenses Payment
You can apply for Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive at least one of these benefits: Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Child Tax Credit. Working Tax Credit also counts if it includes a disability or severe disability element. The payment you receive must have been in place on the date of death or the date you claimed it (if you claimed it after the death).
Your relationship to the deceased matters just as much as your financial situation. You’re eligible if you were the partner of the person who died (including civil partners, cohabiting partners, and spouses), or if you’re their parent or child. Close relatives and close friends can also claim if it’s reasonable for them to accept responsibility for the funeral costs. The government defines "close relative" as a parent, son, daughter, brother, sister, or partner’s child.
If there’s another qualifying person closer to the deceased (like a partner when you’re a sibling), you may not receive the full payment or any payment at all.
What the payment covers (and what it doesn’t)
Funeral Expenses Payment helps with specific costs, not everything. You can claim up to £1,000 for funeral expenses like the funeral director’s fees, flowers, or the coffin. The payment also covers certain necessary travel costs for you and the deceased, plus burial or cremation fees (which vary by location but are paid in full).
The payment doesn’t cover the cost of a wake, headstone, or memorial. It also won’t pay for flowers if they push your total expenses over £1,000. Any money the deceased left behind, including savings or a life insurance payout, reduces the amount you receive. The government expects you to use those funds first before they step in to help.
Time limits you need to know
You have a strict deadline to apply for Funeral Expenses Payment. You must submit your claim within six months of the funeral date in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland gives you a little more flexibility with a six-month window from the date of death rather than the funeral itself. Missing this deadline typically means you lose your chance to claim, so don’t delay.
The funeral must take place in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland) or certain European Economic Area countries if the death happened there. If the deceased lived outside the UK but was habitually resident there, you might still qualify. Check with the Bereavement Service if you’re unsure about residency rules, as these situations can get complicated quickly.
Gather the details and evidence you need
Before you apply for Funeral Expenses Payment, you need to collect specific documents and information. Having everything ready speeds up your application and reduces the chance of delays or requests for additional evidence. The government needs proof of your circumstances, the funeral costs, and any money the deceased left behind, so gathering these details upfront makes the process smoother.
Personal and financial documents
Start by finding your National Insurance number and proof of the benefits you’re currently receiving. You’ll need your most recent benefit award letter or bank statement showing your benefit payments. If you receive Universal Credit, make sure you have your login details for your online account, as you’ll need to check your payment dates and amounts.
Your partner’s National Insurance number (if applicable) and any documents showing your relationship to the deceased are also important. This could include a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or birth certificate if you’re a parent or child. Keep these documents accessible because you may need to send copies with your postal application or refer to them during a phone call.
Funeral director’s invoice and receipts
You need a detailed breakdown of all funeral costs before you submit your claim. Ask your funeral director for an itemised invoice that lists each expense separately: the coffin, funeral director’s fees, cremation or burial charges, and any travel costs. The invoice must show the total amount and the date of the funeral, as this date determines your application deadline.
Keep receipts for any funeral-related expenses you paid directly, such as flowers, death certificates, or travel to arrange the funeral.
If you’re using our direct cremation service at Go Direct Cremations, we provide a clear invoice that meets government requirements. Our transparent pricing makes it straightforward to apply for funeral expenses payment and claim exactly what you’ve spent.
Bank statements and details of any assets
Gather the deceased’s bank statements from the last few months before their death. The government needs to see what money or savings they had, as this reduces your payment pound for pound. Look for any life insurance policies, pension lump sums, or money held in trust for funeral costs.
You’ll need account numbers, sort codes, and current balances for all accounts in the deceased’s name. Don’t forget to check for any joint accounts or Premium Bonds. The more thorough you are now, the less likely the government will ask for additional information later.
Apply by phone or by post in England and Wales
Once you’ve gathered your documents and confirmed you meet the eligibility criteria, you can submit your claim through two routes. The phone application process is usually faster and allows you to get immediate guidance from an advisor, while the postal route gives you more time to review your answers and attach supporting documents. Both methods are equally valid, so choose whichever suits your situation and comfort level.
How to apply by phone
Call the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 to apply for Funeral Expenses Payment. The line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and the call is free from both landlines and mobiles. Have all your documents ready before you dial, as the advisor will ask you specific questions about your benefits, relationship to the deceased, and funeral costs.
The advisor walks you through each section of the claim form and records your answers directly into the system. They’ll ask for your National Insurance number, benefit details, the deceased’s National Insurance number, and the exact funeral costs. You’ll also need to explain any money the deceased left behind and confirm who else might have been closer to them.
If you’re unsure about any question, ask the advisor to clarify rather than guessing, as incorrect information can delay your claim.
How to apply by post
Download form SF200 from GOV.UK or request a paper copy by calling the Bereavement Service. Fill in every section clearly using black ink if you’re completing a paper form. Your answers must match the supporting documents you send, so double-check dates, amounts, and spellings before you post anything.
Send your completed form with copies of all supporting documents to: Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LW. Include your benefit award letter, the funeral director’s invoice, the deceased’s bank statements, and proof of any life insurance or savings. Keep the originals for your records and only send photocopies, as the Department for Work and Pensions won’t return documents.
Your claim pack should include:
- Completed SF200 form
- Your benefit award letter or Universal Credit account details
- Funeral director’s itemised invoice
- Deceased’s bank statements (last three months)
- Death certificate copy
- Marriage or birth certificate (if applicable)
- Details of any life insurance or pension payouts
Applications typically take three to six weeks to process after the government receives your form.
Apply in Northern Ireland or Scotland
Northern Ireland and Scotland handle funeral payment applications differently from England and Wales. While the eligibility criteria remain the same, you need to use different contact numbers and forms depending on where the death occurred or where the deceased lived. Understanding these regional differences ensures you submit your application to the correct authority and avoid unnecessary delays.
How to apply in Northern Ireland
Call the Northern Ireland Bereavement Service on 0800 085 2463 to apply for Funeral Expenses Payment over the phone. The helpline operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and advisors guide you through the entire application. Have your National Insurance number, benefit details, and the funeral director’s invoice ready before you call.
If you prefer to apply by post, request form SF200 from the helpline or download it from the NI Direct website. Complete every section clearly and attach copies of your benefit award letter, the funeral invoice, and the deceased’s financial documents. Post your application to: DWP Bereavement Service, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LW.
Your claim is processed by the same central team that handles applications from England and Wales, which typically takes three to six weeks. Northern Ireland residents follow identical rules for what expenses qualify and how the deceased’s assets affect the payment amount.
How to apply in Scotland
Scotland operates its own system called Funeral Support Payment instead of Funeral Expenses Payment. You apply through Social Security Scotland rather than the Department for Work and Pensions. Call 0800 182 2222 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, or apply online through the mygov.scot website if you have a MyGov account.
Scottish residents can apply up to six months after the date of death rather than six months after the funeral, giving you slightly more flexibility.
The online application walks you through each question and saves your progress automatically. You need your National Insurance number, bank details for payment, and the funeral director’s invoice. Upload scanned copies of supporting documents directly through the portal rather than posting them separately.
Scotland’s payment structure differs slightly from the rest of the UK. You can claim up to £1,263.50 for funeral expenses plus the full burial or cremation fee. Social Security Scotland typically processes applications within eight weeks, though straightforward cases often complete faster.
Track your claim and understand what happens next
After you submit your application, waiting for a decision can feel uncertain. The government typically processes claims within three to six weeks in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or up to eight weeks in Scotland. During this time, you can check your claim status and prepare for the outcome, whether your application succeeds or requires additional information.
How to check your claim status
Contact the Bereavement Service on 0800 731 0469 if you applied in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and haven’t heard anything after four weeks. Scottish applicants should call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 to check their Funeral Support Payment status. Have your National Insurance number ready when you call, as advisors need this to locate your claim.
The department may contact you during processing if they need additional evidence or clarification about your application. Respond quickly to any requests, as delays in providing information extend your processing time. Check your post regularly for letters from the Bereavement Service or Social Security Scotland.
What happens if your claim is approved
You receive a letter explaining how much you’ll get and which expenses the payment covers. The money goes directly into your bank account within seven working days of the decision. Your payment might be less than you expected if the deceased had savings, life insurance, or if someone else closer to them could have reasonably paid for the funeral.
The payment you receive is a grant, not a loan, so you never have to repay it.
Keep your approval letter safe, as you may need it for tax purposes or if you apply for funeral expenses payment again in the future. The letter breaks down exactly which costs the government covered and how much they deducted for the deceased’s assets.
What to do if your claim is refused
Read your refusal letter carefully to understand why the government rejected your application. Common reasons include missing the six-month deadline, not receiving a qualifying benefit on the correct date, or another person being more responsible for the funeral costs. You have the right to challenge this decision if you believe it’s wrong.
Request a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the refusal date by calling the Bereavement Service or writing to them. Explain why you disagree with the decision and provide any additional evidence that supports your case. If the reconsideration still refuses your claim, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.
A quick way to move forward
Knowing how to apply for funeral expenses payment gives you one less worry during a difficult time. The process takes several weeks and requires specific documents, but following these steps puts you in the strongest position to receive support. Check your eligibility first, gather all necessary evidence, and submit your claim within six months of the funeral.
Even with government assistance, funeral costs add up quickly. Traditional funeral services often exceed what the payment covers, leaving families with significant expenses. Direct cremation offers a dignified alternative at a fraction of the cost, typically between £1,000 and £1,500. You still receive professional care for your loved one without the financial strain of a traditional ceremony.
At Go Direct Cremations, we handle everything from collection to cremation with compassion and transparency. Our simple pricing structure works well alongside funeral payment claims, giving you clarity when you need it most. Explore our services to see how we can help your family.