The Department of Work and Pensions provides a one-off tax free payment from the Social Fund to cover the cost of a simple, respectful and low-cost funeral. This will include money for a burial plot or cremation fees and up to £700 for funeral expenses such as a casket or flowers.

At MW Funeral Directors we would like to make more people aware of this support to try to reduce the added stress of an unexpected pay out, particularly in this troubled economic climate.

To be eligible to receive the help you or your partner must be in receipt of state benefit such as jobseekers allowance, income support, child tax credit, working tax credit, council tax benefit or housing benefit. It is not a free handout; in most cases the payment will go straight to the funeral director and the sum will be paid back from the estate of the person who has passed away (not including personal possessions left to others).

The application form is quite substantial and can appear a daunting task to fill in, but if you take your time and read the notes carefully you could save yourself a significant amount of money.

The form, SF200, is available here or your local job centre. Please see our page ‘filling out the form’ before you start and if you have any questions regarding funeral directors fees please call us. The job centre also provides guidance notes and in different languages if necessary.

The form, SF200, is available here or your local job centre. Please see our page ‘filling out the form’ before you start and if you have any questions regarding funeral directors fees please call us. The job centre also provides guidance notes and in different languages if necessary.

Paul Hutchinson, Legal Representative for MW Funeral Directors advises: “Given the economic downturn it is clear that many people do not have enough disposable capital to maintain their standard of living let alone pay for essential costs like a funeral.

The slump in the property market also means selling real property to release funds is both difficult and risky. The government benefit means people will not have to make sacrifices in their personal affairs and the amount is reimbursed once it can be released from the estate.”