DWP Funeral Expenses Payment Help in Leicester
If you are worried about paying for a funeral, please do not feel embarrassed or alone. In some circumstances, help may be available through the Government’s Funeral Expenses Payment scheme.
At Bay Tree Funeral Directors in Blaby, Leicester, we can gently explain your options, provide clear funeral costs and help you understand what information may be needed.
What is the Funeral Expenses Payment?
The Funeral Expenses Payment is a Government payment, handled through the Department for Work and Pensions, which may help towards some funeral costs if you receive certain qualifying benefits and meet the rules on your relationship to the person who has died.
Some families still call it a DHSS funeral payment, DWP funeral grant or help with funeral costs. The current official name is Funeral Expenses Payment.
Important: The payment will not usually cover the full cost of a funeral. How much you may receive depends on your circumstances and whether other money is available, such as from an insurance policy or the estate of the person who has died.
Who may be able to claim?
You may be able to claim if you are arranging the funeral, receive a qualifying benefit, and meet the relationship rules set by the DWP.
Qualifying benefits
You or your partner usually need to receive one of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit with disability or severe disability element
- Support for Mortgage Interest loan
Relationship rules
You may be able to claim if you were:
- The partner of the person who died
- The parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks
- The parent or person responsible for a child who has died
- In some cases, a close relative or close friend
Every claim is individual
The DWP will look at your circumstances, your relationship to the person who died, whether another close relative could reasonably pay, and whether money is available from the estate.
What can it help pay for?
A Funeral Expenses Payment may help towards some necessary funeral costs. This does not mean everything will be covered, but it can make a meaningful difference for eligible families.
- Burial fees for a particular plot
- Cremation fees, including the doctor’s certificate where needed
- Travel to arrange or attend the funeral
- The cost of moving the person who has died within the UK, if over 50 miles
- Death certificates or other required documents
- Up to £1,000 towards other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees
If the person who died had a pre-paid funeral plan, the amount available may be limited to help with items not covered by that plan.
How the process usually works
Speak to us first
Call Bay Tree Funeral Directors or book an appointment at our funeral home in Blaby. We will listen carefully and explain suitable funeral options without pressure.
Choose a funeral that feels right
We can discuss attended and unattended options, depending on your family’s wishes, beliefs and budget.
Apply to the DWP
You can make a claim before the funeral if you have an invoice or signed contract from the funeral director. An estimate is not enough.
The DWP assesses the claim
The DWP will look at your qualifying benefits, your relationship to the person who has died, and whether any other money is available to help pay for the funeral.
Payment is made
If the funeral has not yet been paid for, the payment may be made directly to the funeral director. If you have already paid, it may be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
When do you need to apply?
You must apply within 6 months of the funeral, even if you are waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit.
If you are unsure whether you can claim, it is usually better to ask for guidance sooner rather than leaving it too late.
Affordable funeral options with Bay Tree Funerals
If you are concerned about cost, we can talk through suitable options clearly and respectfully. We will never pressure you into arrangements that do not feel right for your family.
Unattended Cremation
A simple cremation without a funeral service at the crematorium. This may suit families who prefer a private memorial or gathering separately.
Attended Funeral Services
A traditional or personalised funeral service with family and friends present, arranged with care and clear guidance.
Clear Funeral Prices
We believe families should understand the costs before making decisions. Our prices are explained clearly and transparently.
Other support may also be available
If you are not eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment, or if the payment does not cover everything, there may be other ways to get help or reduce costs.
- Bereavement Support Payment, if your partner has died
- Using money from the estate, if available
- Checking whether there was a funeral plan or insurance policy
- Support from charities, benevolent funds or community organisations
- Choosing a simpler funeral option to keep costs manageable
Common questions about DWP funeral payments
Is the Funeral Expenses Payment guaranteed?
No. The DWP decides each claim based on your circumstances, benefits, relationship to the person who has died, and whether other funds are available.
Will it pay for the whole funeral?
Not usually. The payment may help with some funeral costs, but families may still need to pay a balance. We will explain costs clearly before arrangements are confirmed.
Can I claim before the funeral?
Yes, you can claim before the funeral if you have an invoice or signed contract from the funeral director. An estimate is not enough.
How long do I have to claim?
You must apply within 6 months of the funeral, even if you are waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit.
Does the payment have to be repaid?
The payment may need to be repaid from the estate of the person who has died if money or assets are available. The DWP will assess this as part of the claim.
Can Bay Tree Funerals help me understand it?
Yes. We cannot guarantee whether a claim will be accepted, but we can explain the process, provide clear funeral costs and help you understand what information may be needed.
Need help understanding funeral costs?
Call Bay Tree Funeral Directors today or book a private appointment at our funeral home in Blaby, Leicester. We will talk through your options clearly, calmly and without pressure.
This page is intended as general guidance only. Funeral Expenses Payment claims are assessed by the Department for Work and Pensions. Bay Tree Funeral Directors cannot guarantee whether a claim will be accepted or how much may be awarded.