Will my friend have to pay for her mother’s funeral? *Title edited by MNHQ*

[Carwashandthemoog]

My friend has sadly just lost her mother.

Neither the mother, or her father had any money. They were/are on benefits and in a council property.

My friend seems to believe that she will have to pay for her fathers funeral.

This seems very unfair to me (especially as she’ll need to take a loan to pay for it) but I can not advise her as I really don’t know the answer and can’t find much online.

Will she be liable to pay?

The council can fund a pauper’s funeral

Is she asking about her mother’s funeral - the mum who has died? Or her father’s funeral at some nonspecific time in the future?

Next of kin who are on state benefits may qualify for a one off payment to contribute to funeral costs for a relative. If they aren’t, and they cannot pay for a funeral, the local council will arrange a public health funeral. This would be a no-frills service and cremation or burial. If the deceased had any money the council would take the money from their estate to pay back the costs.

The council will pay if no one else will. It used to be called a paupers funeral not sure what it’s called now.

https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

I don't understand - have both her parents died at the same time?

She's lost her mother but has to pay for her father's funeral?

Sorry, it’s her mother who has recently passed away, my mistake.

My friend is not on benefits but can not afford to pay for the funeral. I will tell her about a public health funeral, thanks.

It's called a Public Health Act funeral now

Sorry, just to clarify as I’ve made a mistake on my op.

My friend has just lost her mother. Her father is still alive. Both parents were together (married) living in council accommodation and on benefits.

Neither parent have any money to their name.

It might be better for the surviving spouse who is on benefits to make a claim for a funeral payment, he would be the next of kin anyway

Are the parents on any benefits?

This. Thanks for clarifying OP

I think if she wants a Standard funeral with frills, then the family are expected to pay.

speak to the local council about a council funded funeral, but I think the payment is very limited in what can be done.

The form for government help with this will ask for details of all the lady’s children. If any of them work it won’t be granted. The state assumes the working one(s) can pay it. Then your family is left to figure out who’s responsibility it is.

Speaking from my own experience with my mil. We had to borrow around £2,000.

There is a council option but she may not be able to attend or it will be at 9am typically. It will be the economy coffin etc. Anything in the deceased's estate will be taken to pay for the funeral then the council will pay the difference. If there is some money in the parent's account, many funeral directors can help work out a package she can afford, that is taking out the extras, basic funerals can be fairly reasonable.

@Carwashandthemoog was she an only child?

Yes the parents were on benefits and the remaining parent still is (not sure which benefits though).

Thank you, I will pass that on.

https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

Oh, that’s dreadful.

My friend works but has no readily available funds to pay for the funeral, I really hope she doesn’t have to take a loan out, seems so unfair.

Thank you.

whichspidermummy she has a brother but he has been estranged from the family for many years.

My friend was in a similar situation when her mother died. She did receive a payment from the local authority but it was a fight and they did everything they could to emotionally manipulate my friend into paying herself.

The funeral was as detailed very basic, no “cars” other than the hearse, the crematorium slot that was “left”, no budget for leaflets etc.

Hope your friend has the support she needs.

You get a berevment benefit as next of kin which can go a long way towards covering the price of the funeral.