Information

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Funeral costs

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

Burials and cremation fees for children's funerals

Local councils do no charge a burial or cremation fee when a child has died. From 1 April 2021 this will apply for all children under 18 years old, including babies where they've been stillborn.

You can contact your local council for more information.

Visit Aberdeen City CouncilVisit Aberdeenshire CouncilVisit Angus CouncilVisit Argyll and Bute CouncilVisit Clackmannanshire CouncilVisit Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council)Visit Dumfries & Galloway CouncilVisit Dundee City CouncilVisit East Ayrshire CouncilVisit East Dunbartonshire CouncilVisit East Lothian CouncilVisit East Renfrewshire CouncilVisit Edinburgh CouncilVisit Falkirk CouncilVisit Fife CouncilVisit Glasgow City CouncilVisit Highland CouncilVisit Inverclyde CouncilVisit Midlothian CouncilVisit Moray CouncilVisit North Ayrshire CouncilVisit North Lanarkshire CouncilVisit Orkney Islands CouncilVisit Perth & Kinross CouncilVisit Renfrewshire CouncilVisit Scottish Borders CouncilVisit South Ayrshire CouncilVisit South Lanarkshire CouncilVisit Shetland CouncilVisit Stirling CouncilVisit West Dunbartonshire CouncilVisit West Lothian Council

Paying 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 (eg savings)

Check if there is a pre-paid funeral plan, life insurance or savings to cover the costs of the funeral, including whether a lair (burial plot) has already been paid for in a churchyard or cemetery. You could look for papers at home or discuss with other relatives who might know.

Help with funeral costs

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

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

If you do not qualify for a Funeral Support Payment

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

Citizens Advice can offer help and advice if you have money worries or questions about benefits. Find your nearest bureau.

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