Worried about how you’re going to pay for a funeral? There are some charities that can help with funeral costs. When you’re looking for help from charities, think about the personal circumstances of the person who died. Their job, their age, or a health condition they had may be related to a charity. This can make getting financial help easier.
Charities that help with funeral costs
Look through the list of charities below to see if you can get some financial support from them after the death of a family member.
Armed forces charities that can help
ABF the soldiers charity
The Army’s national charity gives crisis grants to people who’ve served in the British army or the British Army Reserve. They also give financial help to their families and those who’ve been medically discharged. Make sure you check if you’re eligible because it depends on how long you served. They won’t provide financial help for memorials or headstones and all applications are means tested. But it’s worth getting in touch because each application is considered on its own merits. You don’t need to apply directly. Instead, submit your application through your Regimental or Corps Association.
RAF benevolent fund
The Royal Air Force benevolent fund supports people who have served in the RAF and gives grants to help with funeral costs. You can only get the grant if you aren’t eligible for the government’s funeral expenses payment. But it’s worth getting in touch even if you do get the payment because they may still be able to help towards costs if the government support isn’t enough. Apply for help by filling out their online form or call them on 0300 102 1919 if you have any questions.
Royal British Legion
If your spouse, child or carer has passed away and they were in the armed forces the Royal British Legion may be able to help with their funeral costs. You can call them on 0808 802 8080 or email info@britishlegion.org.uk for more info on how to apply.
Charities connected with your job
The charity for civil servants
If you’re a civil servant (or your spouse is) then this charity could help you with funeral costs. They will consider giving you money towards funeral costs if you’re not eligible for government support and you don’t have other savings or insurance. They’ll only help if the funeral is held in the UK and won’t pay for headstones or memorials. But they do offer up to £3000 depending on your circumstances. If you’ve already paid for the funeral you’ll need to show them that you went into debt to do this. Just make sure you apply within 9 months of the funeral to make your claim. Check you’re eligible and apply online.
Care workers charity
The Care Workers Charity offers help with funeral costs for people who work in the care sector.
You may be able to get their crisis funeral grant if:
- You’re a care worker and you’re responsible for paying for the funeral of a next of kin
- Or you’re the next of kin of a care worker who’s died and you’re responsible for paying for their funeral
You can’t apply if:
- You’ve already had a crisis funeral grant from the charity in the past year
- You’re a qualified nurse or NHS employee
To apply you’ll need to give them:
- Proof of where you work (payslip, P60, or P45)
- Proof of the funeral costs (invoice from the funeral director)
- A bank statement showing your name, account number and sort code
- A supporting letter
The letter should be written by someone who knows you professionally, such as your manager, doctor, or housing officer. It should explain why you need the crisis funeral grant and the difference it would make to you.
The retail trust
This fund supports people who work in the retail industry whether you’re customer facing or not. They will give you financial support if you’re struggling to pay for essentials like utility bills, your mortgage or rent. So if you find that funeral costs are stopping you from paying for essentials then get in touch with them. They’ll consider each application on a case-by-case basis.
To qualify you’ll need to:
- Give them info on your income
- Tell them what you need the money for
- Send them proof of where you work
- Send them details of your income and savings
- Send them a recent bank statement
Anyone with savings over £4000 will not be able to apply. Check that you’re eligible and apply online.
Electrical industries charity
This charity offers support to people who work in the energy and electrical industries and their families. They give grants to people with a serious illness or disability who need help urgently. This depends on your income and savings. You’ll also need to give them info about your personal circumstances such as your children and your debt. This will help them figure out the best way to help you financially. You can apply online. They also offer other counselling, legal advice, bereavement support, and support for people who have a terminal illness.
Charities that help with children’s funerals or memorials
Child funeral charity
This charity will offer financial support to you if you’re responsible for organising a baby’s or child’s funeral (under the age of 16). You don’t need to apply directly to the Child Funeral Charity. Instead, a professional involved in organising the funeral should refer you for financial help. This could be your funeral director, a bereavement officer or nurse, your doctor, or faith leader. They’ll need to fill out the application online, so remember to give them details on why you need the financial help.
Rocky Lee’s Little Feet
Rocky Lee’s Little Feet specialises in funding headstones for stillborn babies if families can’t afford the cost.
Together for Short Lives
Together for Short Lives runs The Butterfly Fund. This is a one-off payment that you can use for any funeral or memorial costs.
Are there any other charities that can help with funeral costs?
Leukaemia care
Leukaemia care don’t offer a grant for funeral costs. But they provide grants for essential living costs for people who have leukaemia and the families affected by it. Although their Financial Hardship Fund is meant to go towards essential living costs, they may be able to offer some help with funeral costs if a family member with leukaemia has died. Get in touch with them directly to see if they can help.
Muslim Burial Fund
The Muslim Burial Fund helps Muslims who are struggling to pay for a traditional funeral. The charity provides direct support with the funeral, including washing, shrouding, the funeral prayer and the burial service. They specifically help Muslims who are eligible for zakat and are socially isolated, including elderly people in care homes, students, people with limited family support and people with no legal status in the UK. They can also help with end of life care and legal paperwork, and offer a rapid response service for those in immediate need.
Find local charities who can help
Hopefully you’ve found a charity that can help with funeral costs from the list above. But if you’re still looking for help remember to check with your local authority. They might have more info on local charities or organisations that could get you the support you need.
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