England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Funeral Expenses Payment
Last verified: 3 October 2026. We check the official source every night. How we verify.
A payment toward a funeral if you get certain income-related benefits and you are the person arranging it. Scotland has Funeral Support Payment instead. It often does not cover the full cost.
How much you could get
The payment covers specified costs such as burial or cremation fees plus a capped amount for other expenses. Confirm the live cap on GOV.UK. It is not designed to meet a full commercial funeral invoice.
Check the current amount on the official page.
Who can claim
You usually need to get a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related ESA still in payment, be the person responsible for the funeral, and meet tests about other family members who could pay. Time limits run from the date of the funeral.
Eligibility conditions
These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.
- You live in the UK.
- You live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Check if Funeral Expenses Payment may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.
When it may not apply
Savings, other family members, or not getting a qualifying benefit can mean a refusal. This is not Bereavement Support Payment. People in Scotland should use Funeral Support Payment on mygov.scot.
Where you live
Funeral Expenses Payment applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Browse benefits in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the A–Z list.
How to claim
- Check you get a qualifying benefit. Funeral Expenses Payment (Funeral Support Payment in Scotland) is for people on certain income-related benefits who are arranging a funeral. It is not automatic. Official page
- Claim on the official form before you assume the funeral is covered. The payment often does not meet the full cost. GOV.UK and mygov.scot explain what can be paid. Official page
- Time limits apply from the date of the funeral. The official page states how long you have. Keep invoices and the death certificate.
- This is not Bereavement Support Payment. Contribution-based bereavement payments and funeral payments are different schemes with different rules. Check both if they might apply.
Official sources
- Funeral Expenses Payment — GOV.UK (primary source)
Related benefits
See all income and work benefits.
Source: Department for Work and Pensions. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.
Check if this may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.