Burial or Cremation

benefits, as well as help you establish if you are eligible for help towards costs (a funeral grant) and advise on your eligibility for other benefits.

There is a time limit for claiming bereavement benefits and a funeral grant so it is important to contact them as soon as possible. Funeral grants have a maximum threshold and not everyone is given the full amount. It is essential to consider this when organising the funeral to prevent running up large costs.

You can begin to make your funeral arrangements as soon as you feel able. Before you agree a funeral date you will need to check with the Medical Examiner Office whether there may be a delay with the paperwork, which may happen if there needs to be a post mortem or an inquest.

Once you have registered the death you can confirm a date for the funeral.

Burial

Most churches have set fees for burials of which your funeral director can advise you. The costs may be higher for the burial of someone who lived outside the parish. Most non-denominational cemeteries are owned by either local authorities or private companies, so fees may vary.

Cremation

No one can be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known. The funeral director will advise you of the process. Ashes can be scattered in a garden of remembrance or in a favourite spot - permission for this may have to be granted, or they can be buried in a church yard or cemetery.