Funerals

Paying for the Funeral

Funerals can be expensive. So remember to check where the money for the funeral will come from before making any arrangements. Otherwise, you may have to pay the bill yourself. Check whether the deceased person has contributed to schemes to pay for the funeral.

If you are getting certain social security benefits, you may be able to get a payment from the Social Fund to help pay for the funeral. If no-one is able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral, the local council, or in some cases, the health authority may do so, but only where the funeral has not already been arranged.

It may be possible to have part of the deceased’s savings released to pay for the funeral or some employers provide occupational pension schemes that pay a lump sum to help with funeral costs.

Other alternatives include life insurance policies, pensions or lump-sums payable from the deceased’s trade union, professional body or other association, or from a provident club which pays benefit when a member dies.

A death in the family can also cause financial problems for those who are left. This may only be for a short time, while you wait for the case to be released after probate, or you may need long-term help. Please enquire at your local social security offices to see if any additional help is available or ring the Department of Work and Pension on

tel: 0845 6000 345 (for those under 60 years of age) and tel: 0845 6060 265 (for those of state pension age).

Removing the body out of England or Wales

There is no restriction on moving bodies within England and Wales, but you need to notify the coroner for the district in which the body is lying if you want to move the deceased to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, or overseas. Names and telephone numbers of coroners are listed in your local phone book.

To do this you will need a form 104 (Form of notice to a coroner of intention to remove a body out of England and Wales) which can be obtained from any registrar or a coroner. You will also need to give the form 104 to the coroner and enclose any certificate for burial or cremation already issued.

The coroner will acknowledge receipt of your notice and let you know when the body can be moved – this is usually four clear days from when your notice was received. In urgent situations, it may be possible to bring this forward.