Ways to pay for a funeral

Funerals can be expensive. Check where the money for the funeral will come from, otherwise, if there is not enough money available, you may have to bear the cost yourself.

The Money and Possessions left by the Deceased

The cost for the funeral can be met by the following:

Reasonable funeral expenses take priority over other debts on the person’s estate. A bank account may be frozen, unless it is a joint account. However, if the funeral account is sent directly to the bank, most high street banks will release funds in payment, (or part payment if there are insufficient funds), of the funeral account. The bank manager will be able to explain this further.

There are other organisations who may release the money to you on the evidence of the death certificate if the overall value of the deceased’s estate is small and there are no complications. Amongst these are the Department for National Savings and Building Societies.

This may also enable the release of money to a needy beneficiary without having to await a formal legal decision.

Insurance Policies of the Deceased

Tell the insurance company as soon as possible. They will tell you exactly what documents they need before they can meet a claim for insurance. You should also check carefully the amount due to be paid before signing for any money.

Funeral Payments from the Social Fund

You may be able to get help if you or your partner are in receipt of certain benefits and it must be reasonable for you to have taken responsibility for the funeral expenses, but you should check with your local Social Security Office, as this will depend on circumstances.

In accordance with The Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors code of practice, we offer a basic Funeral that includes the following:

Simple Funeral Price Guide

Making all necessary Funeral arrangements and providing professional advice.
Removal of the deceased to a suitable resting place allowing 10 running miles within normal working hours.
Provision of a simple, veneered coffin and conveyancing by hearse direct to a local cemetery or crematorium.
Provide the Funeral Director and all necessary staff.

Payments made on behalf of Clients for Cemeteries/Crematorium fees, Doctors fees, Press Notices, Flowers, Funeral Purvey etc are additional and are detail separately on the Funeral Estimate/Account.

Funeral Price Guide
	Solway	Kentmere	Sark	Harris
Coffin Selected	£	£	£	£
Hearse	£	£	£	£
Limousine	£	£	£	£
Arrangement	£	£	£	£
Removal	£	£	£	£
Total	£	£	£	£

This Guide Includes:
1: Embalming
2: Any fees or Disbursements payable on the clients behalf.
3: Mileage incurred outwith local area.

Coffin Price Guide
Solway	Simple coffin with flat lid and prominent moulds (Elm finish only)	£
Kentmere	Veneered oak coffin with oak mouldings and raised lid. Natural finish or Golden Oak	£
Sark	Superior veneered oak coffin with oak mouldings, pressed Panelled sides and raised lid Natural finish or Golden Oak	£
Harris	Solid oak coffin with oak mouldings, carved panelled sides And raised lid.	£