Bereavement Support Payment and help with funeral costs

Bereavement Support Payment is for people whose husband, wife, civil partner, or cohabiting partner has died. It is not means-tested and it does not affect most other benefits for the first year.

The rates

GOV.UK sets out two rates. The higher rate is a one-off payment of £3,500 plus 18 monthly payments of £350, and applies if you were getting Child Benefit for a child living with you, were told you were entitled to it, or were pregnant when your partner died. It also applies if you were living together as if married. Otherwise the lower rate applies: a one-off payment of £2,500 plus 18 monthly payments of £100.

The deadline that matters

Claim within 3 months of the death to receive the one-off payment and all 18 monthly payments. After 3 months you can still claim, but you lose monthly payments — so this is one of the few things genuinely worth doing early.

Funeral Expenses Payment

Separately, if you receive certain benefits you may be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment towards burial or cremation fees, some travel costs and a contribution towards other funeral expenses. It is usually recovered from the estate if there is money in it.

Practical points

The funeral director's bill can normally be paid directly from the deceased's bank account, even before probate, if you give the bank the invoice. Do not put a funeral on a credit card before asking.

If money is the pressure, say so plainly to the funeral director on the first call. Prices vary widely, and a direct cremation is a legitimate choice, not a lesser one.