Funeral costs and payments

We will keep you informed about the costs of the funeral from the outset. We will explain to you what the options are and how much they cost so that you are fully informed about the choices you make.

When you have made your choices we will provide you with a written estimate of the funeral costs. If, at this stage, you would like to change anything we will help you do this, although any changes may affect the final funeral costs.

The costs of the funeral

The costs of a funeral are made up of the following:

• Professional services including appropriate advice and support, liaison with third parties and personnel required to arrange the funeral
• Supplementary charges, including bringing the deceased into our care, presentation of the deceased and provision of a hearse
• The cost of the coffin or casket
• Additional charges such as limousines, additional mileage and cremation casket.
• Payments made on your behalf, known as disbursements, which include fees for the doctor, minister and cremation. We kindly ask for payment for these at the time of making the funeral arrangements.

You will receive your invoice within 14 days of the funeral. The invoice can be paid in person at your funeral home or at any bank or post office, or by post. You can pay with cash, by cheque or with a debit or credit card.

If you wish the invoice to be referred to a solicitor, please advise us as soon as possible when arranging the funeral. However, please note that you remain responsible for the account being paid in accordance with our terms and conditions.

If there is any part of the invoice you do not understand or agree with, please contact your funeral home to discuss it.

Meeting the costs of a funeral

The costs of a funeral are defined as a debt against the estate so you may be able to arrange for the funeral to be paid by the estate rather than paying this amount yourself.

If you think you may have trouble meeting funeral costs, please discuss this with us at the time of arrangement.

You may be able to apply for a Social Fund Funeral Payment to help with funeral costs and we have information on who may be eligible and how to make a claim. Payment can only be authorised by the Department of Work and Pensions who can be contacted at www.dwp.gov.uk or 020 7712 2171.

Please remember that you are personally liable for any amount in excess of the agreed payment by the Department of Social Security (DWP), or indeed the whole invoice amount if a payment is not received.

If you do not qualify for a payment we may still be able to advise you on other forms of assistance. 

Planning ahead

Rather than pay for the funeral from their estate, or leave the cost to a family member, some people prefer to pay in advance. You can find full information on our Funeral Plans in our Planning ahead section.