A new report indicates that the average cost of a simple funeral in Scotland has reached a record high of £4,345, with one in five families struggling to pay. A simple funeral, which includes an attended burial or cremation, funeral director, doctor and celebrant fees, a coffin and limousine has risen by 7.8 per cent since 2023, according to the latest SunLife Cost of Dying report.
The cost of a direct cremation funeral in Scotland has risen for only the second time by 5.4 per cent to £1,468 from £1,393, but remains the cheapest option. However, Scots on certain benefits may be eligible for financial support worth an average of £1,800 to help towards the cost of a funeral.
The cost of paying for a funeral can cause extra strain for many people at what is a difficult time. The Funeral Support Payment is available to people who receive Universal Credit, Tax Credits or certain other benefits and are responsible for paying for a funeral.
It can be paid either to parents and families, or the funeral director who is helping to plan the funeral.
People can apply any time after the person has died until six months after the date of the funeral, and are being urged to check if they are eligible to get the help they are entitled to.
The average payment in the 2024/25 financial year to date was £1,800, and the money can be used towards burial or cremation costs and other expenses such as funeral director’s fees, a coffin or flowers.
Since launching Funeral Support Payment in September 2019, Social Security Scotland has received over 34,000 applications, providing £41.7 million of support for people and families.
Funeral Support Payment rates 2024/25
- Higher rate: £1,257.75
- Lower rate: £153.50
- Medical device removal rate: £25.35
Who can apply for a Funeral Support Payment?
You can claim for a Funeral Support Payment if all of the following apply:
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you live in Scotland
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you or your partner are getting certain benefits or tax credits
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the person who died lived in the UK
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the funeral is being held in the UK or in some circumstances in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
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you are applying after the person has died, until six months after the date of their funeral
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you or your partner are responsible for the funeral
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it is reasonable for you or your partner to accept responsibility for the funeral costs
Guidance on mygov.scot states: “Usually, it is reasonable for the nearest relative of the person who died to accept responsibility for the funeral costs.
“A nearest relative could be a partner, child, parent or sibling. If you or your partner are not the nearest relative, you’ll need to explain to us [Social Security Scotland] when you apply, why it’s reasonable to have accepted responsibility.”
Benefits and Tax Credits you or your partner must receive to qualify
You or your partner must get one or more of the following:
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Child Tax Credit
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Universal Credit
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Income Support
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Pension Credit
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Working Tax Credit (disability or severe disability element)
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Housing Benefit
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), not contribution-based JSA
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), not contribution-based ESA
The guidance adds: “If you or your partner are waiting to hear about your application for one of these benefits, you can still apply for Funeral Support Payment. However, we’ll only be able to let you know if you’re able to get Funeral Support Payment once we know the outcome of your other benefit applications.”
How to apply
Before applying for Funeral Support Payment, you should:
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register the death of the person who died
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check that you’re eligible for Funeral Support Payment
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consider giving your funeral director consent to speak with Social Security Scotland about your application
To complete this form, you will need:
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your National Insurance number
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details of the funeral director
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any travel receipts or funeral bills you have so far
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your bank account details, if you’d like Social Security Scotland to pay you and not your funeral director
People can choose to apply online, via a paper application form or by calling Social Security Scotland’s specially trained bereavement team free on 0800 182 2222 -full details on mygov.scot here.