Funeral Payment

Costs & Charges

Whilst arranging the funeral, we will advise on legal requirements, costs and charges to be incurred, a full written estimate will be provided; this should be agreed and signed so that you feel confident with the funeral commitment you have arranged. The funeral account is divided into two separate parts, the Funeral Directors costs, and the Disbursements.

The Funeral Directors costs, These contain our professional services, which include the provision of a 24 hour a day on call rota, our professional service in making the funeral arrangements, Complete and distribute all administration and documents; make payments prior to the funeral taking place.

Bringing of the deceased into our care, use of our facilities including, viewing in our chapel of rest.

Your loved one will remain at our funeral home until the day of the funeral.

Hygienic treatment and preparation to the deceased.

Provision of a hearse.

Disbursements are the fees that we pay on your behalf to all third-party providers such as, i.e., Doctor’s Fees where appropriate, Crematorium/Cemetery fees, Ministers/Celebrants, Florists etc. Our estimate will detail the approximate cost of any disbursements, however you will appreciate that we will have no direct control over these charges and they could therefore be subject to a slight variation.

Paying for the funeral

We respectfully request that 50% of the funeral costs as a deposit three days prior to the funeral taking place. This covers external fees which are payable in advance. Our invoice for the remaining balance will be issued 7 days after the funeral has taken place. If you wish the invoice to be referred to a solicitor, please advise us as soon as possible to ensure that this information is added to our records. However, you remain responsible for the account being paid in accordance with our terms and conditions. Should the balance of the account be outstanding after 14 days, interest of 2.5% per month will accrue.

Meeting the costs

If you think you cannot meet the costs of the funeral, you should discuss this with us at the time of arrangement. We have information on who may be eligible for the Social Fund and how to make a claim. Payment can only be authorised by the Department of Social Security (DWP) who will also decide the amount of payment. If you do not qualify for payment, we may be able to advise on other forms of assistance. Please remember that you are personally liable for any amount in excess of the agreed payment by the Department of Social Security (DWP), or indeed the whole invoice amount if a payment is not received.

Making a Claim for Funeral Payment you must:

• be arranging a funeral in the UK
• get certain benefits or tax credits
  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • the Disability or Severe Disability element of Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit

To Make a Claim you must be one of the following:

• the partner of the deceased when they died
• a close relative or close friend of the deceased
• the parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy
• the parent or person responsible for a deceased child who was under 16 (or under 20 and in approved education or training)

Funeral Payments maybe subsidised please see: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments