Funeral costs - go fund me.

[justasking111]

Have been asked on our local town fb page for the third time in the last month to donate to funeral costs. Is this a national thing, or are we more neighbourly in Wales.

No there’s been loads of these lately - sadly a lot of people don’t realise how expensive a funeral is, people aren’t taking out life insurance/policies to help with their funeral costs and the cost of living is v high :(

I don't know about neighbourly. Unorganised maybe if you're having to rely on strangers to fund your funeral.

Nope there's loads here in London.

It does tend to be more for the sudden death of children/teenagers though tbf.

No-one really expects to be in that situation, so they often struggle with costs.

People also don't understand that you can't force anyone to pay for a funeral, so people are getting into debt to pay for a relative's funeral because they misunderstand that they have to pay for it, even if they cannot afford to and they may take to Go Fund Me to guilt strangers into helping them.

If there is no money in the deceased's estate and their close relatives don't have any money, there is the option of a basic funeral at the local authority's expense. No-one needs to get into debt to pay for a funeral.

These were all sudden deaths two young people one grandmother. I cannot imagine anyone expects the costs of a childs funeral to be something they need.

I agree. The council offer basic funerals.

You can then all congregate at the house or pub and pay your own way. No need for a big send off.

I thought the council means tested.

I remember as a child in the West Midlands there would be whip rounds when someone had died for funeral expenses/support the family.

When my nephew died the funeral director and vicar would not accept payment. I thought it was a kind thing to do in tragic circumstances.

I thought funerals for children were free?

You can also get a statutory funeral grant if the estate can’t afford to pay for funeral.

There is financial and emotional help out there at these sad times.
www.childfuneralcharity.org.uk/

It's not just the cost of the funeral.

Someone fairly close to me had a child die of an asthma attack not so long ago.

There were other costs to consider such as prolonged time off work, decent family therapy, childcare costs for siblings when both parents weren't coping well and other things I've probably forgotten.

It's amazing how quickly the costs can add up.

You can also apply for a government Funeral Expenses Payment if you are receiving certain benefits and have a close relationship with the deceased.

What happens if you’re next of kin and can afford it but don’t want to pay? Say for example you had fallen out with the person.

Does the council pay for it and then try to recoup the money by taking you to court?

Direct cremations are cheaper, but I think funeral directors are starting to over charge for these now. They used to cost around £600 a few years ago, but I've seen £2000 quoted recently.

Saw a firm advertising direct cremation. Called 'pure cremation' ( I'm nothing to do with them, but like idea of all done and rememberance elsewhere as you like) It was cheaper than £2000

My friend got a council funeral - I wouldn’t wish it on anyone . Plastic flowers that they took off halfway through and packed up , an empty hearse , and the speaker made jokes about using Tramadol and codeine before the ceremony ... (friend had died by suicide and had a history of drug use) . Lots of comments about her ‘interesting life , but (I’m) not here to judge’ . Absolutely fucking awful . The whole thing lasted fifteen minutes if that .

Bit radical here, but I think everyone should get a completely free funeral, either burial or cremation, all done to the same specification so no-one, rich or poor will be different to each other. Then there will be no horse drawn carriage procession, fancy coffins etc, no one upmanship or people worried about what they can afford, nor the stress If you want to customize it, just add your own flowers or headstone. Paid for out of income tax?, probably talking out of my backside, just an idea that popped into my head. On local facebook site a couple of gofund me for local funerals as of late