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Financing a funeral

It's a good idea to adequately prepare yourself for any costs and expenses associated with arranging a funeral.

Payment responsibility

If you are charged with arranging the funeral, you will be responsible for paying the bill - ensure that there will be enough funds available for the entire process. You will find that most funeral directors will require an upfront payment before a probate (legal confirmation of validity of will) is granted, therefore consider how you will pay for the funeral in advance.

Fees and expenses

Charges for funerals and burial services (such as church services, actual charges for burying the casket) vary according to your local authority. You can locate your local authority contacts by following the link below:

Local Authority Directory

Additional services such as providing the coffin and caring after the deceased before the funeral can be paid to the funeral director. Get several quotes from different companies as fees and service vary greatly from one funeral director to another. Funeral directors are obligated to provide complete price lists upon request.

"Disbursement" fees are charges incurred by the funeral director, on behalf of others - including but not limited to: doctors' certificates, minister's services, newspaper obituaries, flowers or cremation services. The funeral director can be asked to explain all of the charges in detail.

Payment methods

There are various methods for paying off funeral costs:

Money from the deceased's estate
Any funeral schemes that the deceased was part of, such as a pre-paid funeral plan
Payout from life insurance or pension schemes

The deceased person's bank accounts will be frozen upon notice (unless its a joint account). In some cases, the bank may unfreeze the funds in order to pay for the funeral costs, but they are not obliged to do so unless probate has been granted. In which case, you or the personal representative will have to pay and recover the costs from the estate later on.

Support for persons on a low income

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and are unable to pay for the funeral, you may be eligible for a Social Fund Funeral Payment from the Benefits Agency. You or your partner have to receive one of the following to apply:

Job seeker's allowance
Housing benefit
Income support
Council tax benefit
Disabled person's tax credit
Working family's tax credit

If you are successful in receiving the payment, you still have to pay it back from the estate of the deceased person. 'Estate' means any money, property and insurance policies that the deceased owned. Property or personal possessions left for the widow/widower/civil partner are not counted as part of the estate.

If no other financial help is available

The local council may be able to help in special circumstances, but only when the funeral has not already been arranged. Please note that the council can also make a claim on the estate of the deceased to cover the funeral cost.

For executors who are not familiar with probate valuations and the process of obtaining probate, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions.

If you require any further information, we will be pleased to help and assist. Call Foxtons on 07890 554 106

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