New funeral expenses fund to be launched later this month

A new fund to help bereaved families on low incomes with funeral expenses will be administered by Social Security Scotland from later this month.

The Scottish Government says there will be more money available to grieving families through the funeral support payments scheme.

Funeral support payments will be launched on September 16 by Social Security Scotland, replacing the Department for Work and Pensions’ funeral expense payment.

Applicants, who have to have had the closest relationship to the deceased, must already be on some form of benefits such as universal credit, income support or disability allowance.

Although Social Security Scotland is not yet able to offer face-to-face appointments for applicants, people can apply by post, on the phone or online.

The three elements of the payment are for cremation or burial expenses, a flat rate for costs such as funeral director fees and coffins, in addition to certain transport costs.

While the benefit was run by the DWP, the average funeral expense payment was £1,372 in the last financial year.

The general flat-rate element of the benefit is expected to be £700 for most applicants, Scotland’s Social Security Secretary has said, while committing to increase this in line with inflation, “something the UK Government have not done since 2003”.

Shirley-Anne Somerville added: “Coping with the death of a loved one is one of the most tragic events any of us can face. At that difficult time, it’s even harder when there’s extra stress finding the money to pay for a funeral.”