Financial help with funerals during winter

Woman looking sadly at a photograph

Sadly, more people die during the winter months than at other time of the year.

This means thousands more families face funeral costs between December and March, when they may also be struggling with the increased cost of living and a financial hang-over from Christmas.

Funeral Support Payment is available to people in Scotland who need help towards the cost of a funeral and get Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits. It can be used towards funeral costs for a baby, a child or an adult. This includes stillborn babies.

The payment can cover the costs of burial or cremation, as well as other costs, such as transport and travel, medical expenses and document costs. The average total payment is £2,065, but the amount you get will depend on a number of factors.

This isn’t a loan and doesn’t need to be paid back although Social Security Scotland will recover the payment from the estate of the person who died if they leave any financial assets.

To receive Funeral Support Payment the eligible person must meet all of the criteria below:

  • they live in Scotland
  • they or their partner are getting certain benefits or tax credits
  • the person who died lived in the UK
  • the funeral is being held in the UK or in some circumstances in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
  • they are applying after the person has died, until 6 months after the date of their funeral
  • they or their partner are responsible for the funeral costs
  • it is reasonable for them or their partner to accept responsibility for the funeral costs.

Before applying for Funeral Support Payment, the death or stillbirth should be registered, and funeral directors should be given permission to speak with Social Security Scotland about an application. This will minimise the time it takes to process their application.

Find out more and apply online at mygov.scot/funeralsupport. You can also apply in person, over the phone or ask for a paper application form by post by calling us free on 0800 182 2222.

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