An unexpected death can often place unnecessary financial strain on the family, but there are plenty of charities and governmental organisations that are able to offer help and advice during this difficult time. 

To help take the weight off your shoulders, Waters and Sons have created this simple guide that explains how to seek financial advice and what you may be entitled to after a bereavement.

Bereavement Support Payments

If your wife, husband or civil partner dies you can claim up to 21 months of Bereavement Support Payments. You must claim within 3 months of their passing to be eligible. 

You’ll get a lump sum payment and then up to 18 monthly installments following it. There are two separate rates that you could claim:

The higher rate applies if you are receiving or are entitled to Child Benefit. Claiming Bereavement Support Payment will not affect your benefits. 

How to claim: 

You can claim using the online form, by phone or online. 

To apply, you’ll need:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your bank or building society account details
• The date your partner died
• Your partner’s National Insurance number

At Waters and Sons, we offer a 24 hour personal support service. Please feel free to contact us at any time for advice and guidance on financing your loved one’s funeral. 

Child Benefit if a child or parent dies

You can claim Child Benefit for 8 weeks after your child dies.

If one or both parents die

If you become the main carer of a child after their parents have died, you may be able to get Child Benefit to help you cope with the extra expense.

To do this, you’ll need to:

1. Report the death to the Child Benefit Office as soon as possible. You can do this online, by post or over the phone 
2. Make a new claim for Child Benefit 

You may be entitled to Guardian’s Allowance or Widowed Parent’s Allowance on top of Child Benefit.

support visits

You may qualify for home visits from a DWP officer or charitable organisation to help you through your benefits claim. In certain circumstances, these visits can take place at a hospital. 

You are eligible for support visits if: 



• You have complex needs 
• You’re disabled 
• You are a vulnerable young person 
• Have nobody else to support you 
• Can’t claim benefits without assistance 

For these reasons, if you are deemed to require additional support, the DWP will advise you on how to proceed safely with your claim before the visit occurs.

At Waters and Sons, we offer a 24 hour personal support service. Please feel free to contact us at any time for advice and guidance on financing your loved one’s funeral.

Coping with debt after a loss

If the death of your loved one has left you in debt, there are organisations that are able to offer advice and guidance on how to manage the unexpected loss. Citizens Advice, National Debtline and Step Change exist to help you through this difficult time.

Help with funeral costs

Funerals can be expensive which is why the government offers Funeral Expenses Payments to those who struggle financially. This scheme allows you to pay the cost of your funeral in monthly instalments to give your loved one the tribute they deserve, and give you peace of mind. 

Funeral Support Payment applies if you or your partner claim any of the following benefits: 

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• The disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

Funeral Expenses Payment will cover: 

• Burial fees and plot fees 
• Cremation fees, including the cost of the cremation certificate 
• Travel costs to and from the funeral 
• The cost of moving your loved one to the UK if they died abroad
• Death certificates and other relevant documents 

You can also claim up to £1000 to cover other funeral fees. Depending on your chosen service, this might not cover the full expense of the funeral. This payment will be paid directly to your bank account or the bank account of your funeral director.

Golden Charter Funeral Plans

Golden Charter Funeral Plans to give you exceptional value and choice over funeral expenses. Their schemes allow you to prepay for your funeral either in monthly instalments or all at once to give your family peace of mind after your death. 

At Waters and Sons, we know that coping with debt and financial strain following a bereavement only adds unnecessary distress to the process and that’s why we offer 24 hour personal support.

If you require any more information on how Waters and Sons can support you through this trying time, feel free to contact us.