Help with funeral costs

[Loney3007]

Hi All,

Unfortunately my father passed away last week due to Cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 51. He was also diabetic and suffered from severe nerve damage in his feet leaving him in no position to work. My father was divorced, lived alone on benefits in a council rented flat, he had no estate apart from a few personal belongings and has a number of debts.

I am the eldest of five children and the only child in full time work, one of my sisters is in a mental health institution and the youngest three are still in full time education. With no estate to pay for my dad's funeral, and being the only child in work with no savings, I now find myself faced with a £6,000 funeral bill and I have no idea how I'm going to pay it. I am not on any benefits myself and so do not qualify for help from the government.

Does anyone know of any charities or institutions that may be able to help towards funeral costs? As the cirrhosis was caused by alcoholism, I feel that crowd funding is probably out of the question but I'm at a loss for what to do.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

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I'm sorry for the recent loss of your poor father. This must be a sad time for you all. It's had to having to face sorting things out during this time of bereavement. I've come across this, which might be of help, but your local council will be able to assist you. Please have a read: funeralzone.co.uk/help-reso...

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Oh you poor thing. I'm so sorry you've lost your Dad at such a young age and now faced with this.

Check again that you aren't entitled to some state help. I was awarded £2000 towards my husbands funeral back in 2010. Things may well have changed since then though of course.

You really don't need to spend £6000 on a funeral. £2 -3000 is quite sufficient for a lovely farewell.

I don't know of where to go for financial help though but maybe someone on this forum will be in touch soon.

Again my condolences for your loss

xx

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Contact his council. They may give you contribution as they operate the help with funeral costs schemes byt not for the full cost. They typically pay £1600 as its limited by law. Dwp may offer a loan for the rest.

[GrandmaDylan]

Oh my heart goes out to you. I suggest you read the link on Richard64's post. Who is financially supporting your younger siblings? If they're on benefits maybe they can apply for help. It seems so unfair that all this responsibility and worry is all on your shoulders especially at such a sad time. I'm sorry that I don't have any answers for you but I will just hope that someone is able to help you.💔💓

[vickyvickykk]

Hi Loney, I am so sorry for your loss. My mum past away in similar circumstances. I had to pay the funeral costs, I searched low-cost funerals in google, I found a company for £1600, all in. I then financed it through a 0% interest credit card over 2 years(24 months), by paying some of the service providers directly you will also save as this will eliminate the service fee. We did the flowers and order of service ourselves, and friends pitched in with food for the wake. Don't get sidetracked by others about how things should be, like fancy this or that, do the best you can without being stuck with lots of debt in the future. I am so sorry your in this situation, it makes the event so much more tragic. Thinking of you.

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Depending on whether your father died in Hospital or elsewhere, either the hospital or the local Council have a duty to bury him. The funeral would not be grand but it would be done.

[mrsmerlin]

There are some charities that will help towards funeral costs and most funeral homes will have suggestions. The government grant for a funeral is means tested so there is no reason to be refused on the information you gave.

It is fortunate that he did not have care of the children so that responsibility would not fall on you.

I am not a heartless person but i do have to make a point or two before anyone offers money directly. My conscience would not allow otherwise.

It is unusual to join a group like this and immediately ask for help funding a funeral. Not asking for any help regarding the cirrhosis or acknowledging the health of members.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh it's just I have seen similar cases on other forums which were scams. One worded identically to yours regarding siblings.

I would hope you are not part of the group sharing this post to con money out of a vulnerable group.

Unfortunately that would mean you have lost you father and have a sister being treated for mental health problems. In which case I repeat that the funeral director should be able to give advice along with the DWP and local council.