Funeral Payment Help: Understanding Your Options During a Difficult Time
Arranging a funeral can be overwhelming, particularly when you are also worried about how the funeral will be paid for. For many families, the financial side of arranging a funeral can add further stress at an already incredibly difficult time.
The good news is that there are several options available to help with funeral costs. Understanding how funeral payments work, what financial support may be available and how to compare funeral prices can help you make informed decisions.
What financial help is available with funeral costs?
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to help towards funeral expenses. If you receive certain benefits and are responsible for arranging the funeral, you may be eligible to apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
There may also be other sources of help, including funds held in the deceased’s bank account. In many circumstances, banks can release money specifically to pay funeral expenses before probate has been granted. Your funeral director can often help explain the process and provide the necessary funeral invoice.
It is always worth discussing your circumstances with your funeral director, as they may be able to help you understand the payment options available and ensure you know what costs need to be considered.
Comparing funeral costs
When looking at funeral payment options, it is important to understand exactly what you are being asked to pay for.
Since 2021, funeral directors in the UK have been required to display a CMA Standardised Price List. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) introduced this requirement to make funeral prices clearer and help families compare different funeral directors.
The Standardised Price List provides prices for a specified set of funeral services and products in a fixed format. This means you can use it to compare like-for-like prices, rather than simply comparing headline funeral costs that may include different services.
However, it is important to remember that the Standardised Price List does not necessarily show every option a funeral director offers. Funeral directors can also have an Additional Options Price List, covering other products and services.
Beware of bespoke pricing
Some funeral directors still operate using a bespoke price list or primarily provide individually tailored quotations, which can make it more difficult to understand exactly how their prices compare.
At George Ball & Son, we don’t operate a bespoke price list. We provide our CMA Standardised Price List alongside our additional options, giving families clear and transparent information about our prices.
This means you can look at our prices and compare them with other funeral directors on a like-for-like basis, before deciding what is right for your family.
Building a funeral that is right for you
A funeral doesn’t have to include every available option. There are often different choices when it comes to the type of funeral, coffin, vehicles, flowers, service and other elements.
We believe families should be able to understand the costs of each option and decide what is appropriate for them. Our role is to explain your choices clearly, without pressure, so you can create a funeral that reflects the person who has died and is right for your circumstances and budget.
If you are worried about how to pay for a funeral, don’t be afraid to ask for help. At George Ball & Son, we are happy to talk through the costs, payment options and different choices available to you.
During such a difficult time, having clear information about funeral costs and payment help can make one part of the process a little easier.
