WHO PAYS FOR THE FUNERAL?

The person arranging the funeral is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the bill is paid. Normally the costs will be borne by the estate of the deceased, so it is important to check with the executors of the will that sufficient funds are available before going ahead. You should also investigate whether provision has been made for funeral payments from:

• a prepaid funeral plan
• a life assurance policy
• a pension scheme offering help with funeral costs
• death benefits from a friendly society or trade union.

A Funeral Payment from the Department of Work and Pensions’ Social Fund may be payable if the deceased appears to have inadequate funds to pay for the funeral. However, the payment may not cover the full cost of a basic funeral and the DWP has the right to reclaim some of the cost from the deceased’s estate or close relatives, except in the case of war pensioners. Application for the payment must be made to the local social security office on Form SF200 within three months of the funeral.

You can get further information on entitlements from such organisations as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Cruse Bereavement Care.

In cases where the deceased has no next of kin, the local council or the hospital where the person died takes responsibility for the funeral and normally appoints the funeral director. Both have the right to recoup some or all of the costs from the estate.

Bear in mind that there could be some delay in obtaining funds from the deceased’s estate or from other sources, though the deceased’s bank or building society will often be willing to release funds to cover the funeral expenses. If you envisage any problems in settling the bill on time you should inform the funeral directors accordingly. Most will be sympathetic and agree for payments to be deferred or paid in instalments, but such arrangements may incur interest. Most firms nowadays accept payment by credit card.