Fund to help families pay the cost of funeral for a child A new fund to help families in Northern Ireland pay the cost of a funeral following the death of a child will be available from June.
T
he Child Funeral Fund will provide a one-off payment of £3,056 after the death of a child under 18 or in the event of a still birth after 24 weeks. The fund is not means-tested and will be available to all families regardless of their financial situation. The Department of Communities, which is responsible for the fund, has said the application process for the money is still being finalised but it would ensure access would be made as simple as possible.
Similar schemes already exist elsewhere in the UK. In Northern Ireland, some councils have already chosen to waive burial costs for children. Announcing the new fund, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said the money would support families at a time of “devastation and sadness”. “The Child Funeral Fund will lessen stress and anxiety for people during the most devastating of times,” she said.
