What happens if you can’t afford a funeral?
If you’re worried about funeral costs, you’re certainly not alone. Amid a cost of living crisis, not to mention the rising cost of funerals, many people are finding it harder to pay for funeral expenses. So who pays for a funeral if there is no money? Whether you’re planning ahead for your own funeral or organising a send-off for a loved one, let's explore some of the ways you can meet funeral costs when money is tight.
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A Funeral Expenses Payment is a government scheme that helps some people on a low income to pay for the cost of a funeral. This can include expenditure like burial fees, cremation fees and travel costs for attending the funeral. It’s available to people experiencing all kinds of bereavement. If you’re organising a funeral and receive certain benefits like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Income Support, you may be able to apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment.
For more information on the Funeral Expenses Payment visit GOV.UK.
There is no defined sum of money that comprises the Funeral Expenses Payment. According to GOV.UK, the Funeral Expenses Payment “will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral”. In addition to the main funeral costs, up to £1,000 is available for “other costs”, such as cars, coffins and flowers.
The Funeral Expenses Payment is deducted from any money you receive in the deceased person’s estate. Also, if the deceased had a prepaid funeral plan, you can only get up to £120 from the Funeral Expenses Payment to help pay for items that aren't already covered by the plan.
If someone dies and they left no money or funeral plan to pay for the funeral, the deceased’s family members will ordinarily foot the bill. However, if the family members are unable or unwilling to pay for the event, the local authority will be obliged to organise a public health funeral.
Funeral directors differ in terms of when they expect to be paid, so before you choose a provider, it’s worth checking how their payment policy works.
For example, your funeral director may ask you to pay a deposit in advance of the funeral, which gives them extra protection if your family are ultimately unable to afford it. Other funeral directors may request payment before the Grant of Probate has been confirmed. While you’re waiting for the Grant of Probate, the bank may let you access the money in the account to pay for the funeral though. And in many cases, the final bill will be sent shortly after the funeral itself.
Donate your body to medical science
You can choose to donate your body to a medical school in your local area when you pass away. This valuable gift will help teachers and students in their research and studies. You will need to make sure you have signed consent forms in place, and it’s a good idea to include your intentions in your will as consent can’t be given on your behalf after you die, even if someone has Power of Attorney.
How to pay for a funeral from the deceased's bank account
In order to access the bank account of a deceased person, you will first need to register the death (within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 8 days in Scotland) and obtain the death certificate. You will also need to apply for the Grant of Probate, or if there is no will, the ‘letters of administration’, so that you can manage the deceased’s financial affairs, including paying for a funeral. Some banks might let you access funds without the Grant of Probate, but the amount you can withdraw might be capped, unless you are a named person on a joint bank account. For more information, read our step-by-step guide on the duties of the executor of a will.
Tips for making a funeral cheaper
We’ve covered lots of information on how to pay funeral costs, but what if you still can’t afford a funeral? We hope the below tips will give you some extra financial headroom when it comes to financing a funeral.
Read more tips on how to reduce your funeral costs from Legal & General.
How Legal & General life insurance can help you with funeral costs
No one can ever predict the future, but the cash sum from a Legal & General Over 50s Life Insurance plan could be put towards some funeral expenses. Funeral Benefit Option can be added for no additional cost. The cash sum at time of claim would be paid straight to Dignity Funeral Limited and a Dignity Funeral Director would take care of your funeral arrangements. An extra £250 would also be provided towards funeral costs.
Find out more about our Over 50 Life Insurance
Paying for your burial or cremation
Funeral costs in the UK
How to save on funeral costs during the cost of living crisis
