Funeral & bereavement benefits

Following a death, financial help may be available towards funeral costs and to support a partner or family.

The type of help available depends on individual circumstances, including where the person applying lives, their relationship to the person who has died, the benefits they receive and whether the person who died had savings, insurance or a funeral plan.

Payment rates and eligibility rules can change. We recommend checking the current official guidance or speaking to an adviser before relying on a particular amount.

Funeral Support Payment in Scotland

Funeral Support Payment is a one-off payment from Social Security Scotland to help eligible people with funeral costs.

You may be able to apply if:

• You live in Scotland.
• You or your partner is responsible for paying for the funeral.
• You or your partner receives a qualifying low-income benefit or tax credit.
• You are the nearest relative of the person who has died, or it is considered reasonable for you to have accepted responsibility for the funeral costs.

The person who died can have lived elsewhere in the UK, but the person applying must normally live in Scotland.

Check the current Funeral Support Payment eligibility rules

What can Funeral Support Payment help to cover?

Depending on the circumstances, the payment may help with reasonable costs including:

• Burial or cremation fees.
• Certain transport costs.
• Some travel costs.
• Medical documents required for the funeral.
• A contribution towards other funeral expenses.

Funeral Support Payment may not cover the complete cost of the funeral. The amount awarded will depend on the circumstances and whether other money is available from sources such as:

• A funeral plan.
• An insurance policy.
• A burial club.
• A pension payment.
• Accessible money belonging to the person who died.

Money contributed by relatives, friends or charities does not necessarily prevent an application, but all relevant financial information should be declared to Social Security Scotland.

Find out what Funeral Support Payment can cover

When should an application be made?

An application can normally be made after the person has died and up to six months after the funeral.

Before applying, you will usually need to:

• Register the death.
• Check whether the person had a funeral plan, insurance or other money available.
• Begin arranging the funeral so that the expected costs are known.

You do not need to wait until the funeral account has been paid before applying.

If you think you may qualify, apply as soon as reasonably possible. Do not delay an application because you are unsure—Social Security Scotland can explain what information is required.

How to apply for Funeral Support Payment

You can apply:

• Online through mygov.scot.
• By telephone through Social Security Scotland.
• Using a paper application form.

Social Security Scotland telephone: 0800 182 2222

Apply for Funeral Support Payment

If required, you can give permission for Social Security Scotland to speak to Abercorn Funeral Services about the funeral arrangements and costs.

We can provide the funeral estimate or account information required to support an application.

Bereavement Support Payment

Bereavement Support Payment may be available following the death of a husband, wife, civil partner or, in some circumstances, a partner with whom the applicant was living.

Eligibility can depend on:

• The applicant’s age.
• Their relationship with the person who has died.
• Whether the person who died paid sufficient National Insurance contributions.
• Whether the applicant was pregnant or responsible for a child when their partner died.

Bereavement Support Payment normally consists of an initial lump sum followed by monthly payments for a limited period.

It is not means-tested, but application deadlines apply. Applying promptly can help ensure that payments are not lost.

Check eligibility and apply for Bereavement Support Payment

Help when a parent or child dies

Additional help may be available when a parent or child dies.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• Changes to Child Benefit.
• Guardian’s Allowance for someone bringing up a child whose parents have died.
• Funeral Support Payment towards an eligible child’s funeral.
• Bereavement Support Payment for a surviving parent or partner.
• Support through an employer, occupational pension or insurance scheme.

Find out what happens to Child Benefit when a child or parent dies

Check eligibility for Guardian’s Allowance

Other financial help to check

It may also be helpful to check whether the person who has died had:

• A life-insurance policy.
• A prepaid funeral plan.
• An occupational or private pension.
• A death-in-service payment through their employer.
• A trade-union, professional-association or workplace benefit.
• A burial club or similar arrangement.
• Armed Forces or Veterans UK entitlement.
• Savings or funds held in a bank account.
• A will containing funeral wishes or financial provisions.

In some circumstances, a bank may agree to pay a funeral invoice directly from the account of the person who has died. The bank will explain its requirements and what documentation must be provided.

Funeral costs are normally treated as a debt of the estate. Legal advice may be required where the estate is complicated or there is uncertainty about who is responsible for making arrangements.

Review existing benefits and household finances

A death can affect benefits, pensions, Council Tax and household income.

The surviving partner or family may need to check:

• Universal Credit.
• Pension Credit.
• Housing Benefit.
• Council Tax Reduction or discounts.
• State and private pensions.
• Child Benefit.
• Carer-related benefits.
• Disability-related benefits.
• Help with housing or energy costs.

The death should be reported promptly, but existing benefit claims should not simply be cancelled without obtaining advice about any continuing or replacement entitlement.

Read the Scottish Government’s guidance on benefits and financial help after a death

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once allows a death to be reported to several government organisations at the same time.

Depending on the person’s circumstances, it can notify:

• Social Security Scotland.
• The Department for Work and Pensions.
• HM Revenue and Customs.
• The Passport Office.
• The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
• The local council.
• Veterans UK.
• Some public-sector pension schemes.

The registrar will offer this service when the death is registered or provide a reference number so it can be completed afterwards.

Tell Us Once does not automatically apply for every payment or benefit. A separate application may still be required for Funeral Support Payment or Bereavement Support Payment.

Read the current Tell Us Once guidance

Free help and benefit checks

If you are unsure what help may be available, a free benefit check can identify possible entitlements.

Citizens Advice Scotland can provide independent guidance about:

• Funeral Support Payment.
• Bereavement benefits.
• Household benefits.
• Debt and affordability.
• Challenging an unsuccessful benefit decision.

Money Talk Team telephone: 0800 028 1456

Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau

How Abercorn can help

Please speak to us if you are worried about funeral costs.

We will:

• Explain our funeral options and prices clearly.
• Provide a written estimate.
• Identify which costs are ours and which are third-party charges.
• Provide relevant information for a Funeral Support Payment application.
• Liaise with Social Security Scotland when the applicant has authorised us to do so.
• Help you consider dignified arrangements that remain within your available budget.

We understand that discussing money following a death can be difficult. Our team will treat every conversation with sensitivity, respect and without judgement.

For guidance, telephone Abercorn Funeral Services on:

0131 259 2322

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