A Comprehensive 2025 Guide to Government Funeral Support in the UK
Dealing with the death of a loved one is a profoundly difficult experience, both emotionally and financially. In the UK today, the cost of a traditional funeral can easily exceed £4,000, placing significant strain on grieving families. During such vulnerable times, financial help can make a crucial difference.
If you’re struggling to cover funeral costs, you may be wondering: how much is a funeral grant from DWP, and who is eligible to receive it? This detailed 2025 guide will answer all your questions about the Funeral Expenses Payment—often called a funeral grant—offered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the UK.
What Is the DWP Funeral Grant?
The Funeral Expenses Payment is a government-backed financial assistance scheme aimed at helping low-income families pay for necessary funeral costs. Administered by the DWP, this grant exists to ensure that no one is denied the opportunity to say a respectful goodbye due to financial hardship.
Although it does not usually cover the entire cost of a funeral, it can significantly reduce the financial burden by covering essential services and fees. This type of support can be especially important for people who are already facing economic difficulties, including those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
How much is a funeral grant from DWP?
There is no flat-rate payout; the amount you receive depends on your circumstances, the deceased’s financial situation, and whether a prepaid funeral plan was in place. However, the DWP typically offers support in two parts:
1. Essential Funeral Costs (Usually Paid in Full):
- Burial or cremation fees (including doctor’s fees for cremation certificates)
- Transport of the deceased (if the body is moved over 50 miles)
- Death certificates or other paperwork
These costs are considered fundamental and are usually reimbursed in full by the DWP if no other source of funding is available.
2. Additional Costs (Capped Amount):
- Up to £1,000 for funeral-related services such as:
- Funeral director’s fees
- Coffin and hearse
- Religious services or readings
- Floral arrangements
- Venue hire or refreshments for a wake
If the deceased had a prepaid funeral plan, the additional help is reduced to £120, as many costs are already covered through that plan.
In total, most successful claims result in payments between £1,200 and £2,500, depending on the case. It’s not a large sum compared to average UK funeral costs—but for many families, it provides meaningful relief when it’s most needed.
Who Qualifies for the Funeral Expenses Payment?
To be eligible for a funeral grant from the DWP, you must meet three main conditions:
- Relationship to the Deceased:
You must be the closest relative or friend responsible for arranging the funeral. If there is someone else more closely related to the deceased who is not receiving benefits, your claim might be rejected. - Receipt of Qualifying Benefits:
You must be receiving one or more of the following income-based benefits:- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit (with income threshold met)
- Working Tax Credit (with disability element)
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Location:
The deceased must have lived in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. (Scotland operates a separate but similar system, which we’ll cover below.)
Important: Even if you qualify for benefits, your application might be denied if another close family member who doesn’t receive benefits could reasonably be expected to pay for the funeral.
How to Apply for a DWP Funeral Grant?
Application Timeframe:
You must apply within 6 months of the funeral date. It’s possible to apply before the funeral, but payments will not be processed until after it has taken place.
Application Methods:
- By phone: Call the DWP Bereavement Service Helpline on 0800 151 2012
- By post: Fill in and send form SF200 (available online or from your local Jobcentre Plus)
- Online (Scotland only): Apply for the Funeral Support Payment via www.mygov.scot
Documents Required:
- Death certificate (or a copy)
- Funeral invoice or quote
- Proof of benefit entitlement
- Relationship to the deceased
Once submitted, applications usually take 2 to 4 weeks to process. The money can be paid:
- Directly to the funeral director (if the bill hasn’t been paid), or
- To you (if you have already paid or taken out a loan)
Will You Have to Pay It Back?
In most cases, no repayment is required. However, if the deceased left behind savings, property, or other assets, the DWP may recover the grant from the estate. This doesn’t affect your eligibility or prevent you from receiving the payment when it’s most needed.
If the estate was left solely to a surviving spouse or civil partner, recovery is less likely to apply.
What If You’re Not Eligible?
If you don’t meet the criteria or your application is declined, you still have options:
- Budgeting Loan or Advance: Interest-free government loans are available for certain benefit claimants to help with urgent expenses like funeral costs.
- Charitable Support: Organisations like Turn2Us, The Royal British Legion, and Age UK offer small grants or support schemes depending on your background and situation.
- Public Health Funerals: If no one can afford to pay, the local council is legally obligated to arrange a basic funeral (called a pauper’s funeral). These are typically simple, but conducted with dignity.
What About Scotland?
In Scotland, the Funeral Support Payment is delivered by Social Security Scotland and replaces the DWP grant. While similar in function, this payment:
- Can offer slightly higher contributions
- Covers a broader range of items
- Is applied for entirely online via mygov.scot
As of 2025, the Scottish grant covers:
- Burial/cremation
- Travel and transport
- Funeral director services
- An additional flat-rate payment for other expenses
If you live in Scotland, this is the scheme you should apply to—not the DWP Funeral Expenses Payment.
Final Thoughts
So, how much is a funeral grant from DWP in 2025? While it varies by case, eligible applicants usually receive between £1,200 and £2,500, depending on funeral type, financial circumstances, and the estate of the deceased. It doesn’t cover everything—but it does provide crucial relief when families need it most.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, the best step is to contact the DWP Bereavement Service, speak to Citizens Advice, or reach out to local support charities. Funeral costs are already hard enough to face—don’t hesitate to explore help that exists for people like you.
