Cost of a funeral

Funeral costs can include:

funeral director fees
things the funeral director pays for on your behalf, like crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
local council burial or cremation fees

How to pay for a funeral

The funeral can be paid for:

from a financial scheme the person had, like a pre-paid funeral plan or insurance policy
by you, or other family members or friends
with money from the person's estate, such as savings they had

If the person who died had money, it can usually be used to help pay for the funeral first. Their bank may temporarily stop access to their account after they die, but it might still release money for funeral costs.

Help with funeral costs

You can apply for a Funeral Support Payment to help towards funeral costs.

Find more information on who can apply for Funeral Support Payment.

If you do not qualify for a Funeral Support Payment

You can get advice on paying for a funeral from these organisations:

Other bereavement benefits

There are other bereavement benefits available to help you cope with money after a death.

Citizens Advice Scotland can offer help and advice if you have money worries or questions about benefits. You can:

Burials and cremation fees for children's funerals

Local councils do not charge a burial or cremation fee when someone under 18 dies. This includes stillborn babies.

Contact your local council for more information.

Find your local council’s funeral services

Thanks for your feedback

Information

How to pay for a funeral

Help with funeral costs

If you do not qualify for a Funeral Support Payment

Other bereavement benefits

Burials and cremation fees for children's funerals