Get help paying for a funeral

Payment for a funeral is usually met through the estate of the deceased. However, if there are insufficient funds, the executor is personally liable. 

Where the deceased has not left a will, the person arranging the funeral (normally their next of kin) is liable to meet the funeral and burial/cremation costs.

If you are concerned about how you’re going to pay for a funeral, it’s important that you discuss this with your chosen funeral director at an early stage in the arrangements. 

Once you have entered into a contract with the funeral director, you will be responsible for paying their costs.

Funeral Support Payments

If you or a partner is receiving certain benefits you may be entitled to a funeral payment from the social fund. More information about how you can get help for funeral costs is available on the government website.

Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment) – GOV.UK

Public health funerals

In some cases, we can take responsibility for the burial or cremation of a body. For more information, read our public health act funerals policy (PDF, 96kb).

Where there are assets that exceed the cost of the funeral in the deceased's estate, we will look to recover the costs to reduce the expense to the taxpayer.

If you would like to find out more about requesting a public health funeral, get in touch with customer services using the details at the bottom of this page.

Funeral records

We keep records of all the public health funerals we arrange. If you would like copies of these records, please email us with the details of your request.

freedom@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk