Finance

The sudden passing of a loved one can leave many questions unanswered and create stressful questions about money and affording a funeral.

The average cost of a funeral in the UK, even before additional items like flowers or a wake, is roughly £3000 – 4,000, which of course can vary greatly depending on the type of funeral chosen.

Sometimes, your loved one may have planned and paid for their funeral, or possibly they would have left some money in their estate to cover the costs. If that isn’t the case, next of kin often pay for the funeral.

If you’re struggling to cover the costs of a funeral, there are sometimes ways in which you can get assistance with the financial aspect.

Your local council or hospital can arrange a Public Health Funeral if:

• There isn’t enough money in the estate to cover the costs.
• There are no next of kin available to arrange the funeral.

The service offered is usually a cremation. You’re able to attend the funeral but the local authority will choose the time and date that it is to be held. There is normally a short basic service held before the cremation, however additional items such as flowers, cars, or notices in the local newspaper are not included. If you’re entitled to certain benefits, you can also apply for Funeral Payment from the government to help you pay for the funeral.