Get help with funeral costs

The Scottish Government replaced the DWP Funeral Expense Payment with Funeral Support Payment in September 2019. The benefit is designed to pay a contribution towards funeral costs.

Funeral Support Payment is made up of 3 parts. The first covers the cost of burial, cremation or alkaline hydrolysis. The second component covers the standard rate of £1,279.15 for other expenses for most clients or £156.10 if the person who died had a fully paid up pre-paid funeral plan. The third covers other costs including travel expenses incurred by the clients, transport cost to transfer the body of the deceased and some document and medical costs. 

You are eligible for Funeral Support Payment if you or your partner live in Scotland, get a qualifying benefit and are arranging and paying for the funeral of someone who lived in the UK. Applications must be made within six months of the funeral taking place. Before applying, you should register the death of the deceased person and check whether you might be eligible. You may want to inform your funeral director of your intention to apply though this is not a requirement.

Applications can be made online via the mygov.scot website, by post, over the phone or in person and specially trained advisors will help you get the support you need. 

If you would like to find out more information on how to apply and the eligibility criteria please visit Funeral Support Payment - mygov.scot

Please remember Cruse Scotland is here to help if you are struggling with your grief following the death of a loved one. Visit the 'Get Support' tab at the top of this page.