When people mention a free funeral – the first thing that may come to mind is a local authority or “paupers” funeral as some cruelly call it. But that’s not the only option open to people who are struggling to pay for their loved one’s funeral.

The Scottish Government introduced the Funeral Support Payment (FSP) in 2019. The grant supports eligible individuals in receipt of low-income benefits with a payment towards funeral costs.

The one-off payment helps pay for the reasonable burial or cremation fees, some travel costs, and includes a standard flat rate for ‘other expenses’ of £1,000 where the client did not have a funeral plan (or £120 if there was a funeral plan).

So, if I am eligible for the payment, will that cover the whole cost of the funeral?

It depends on your circumstances and the type of funeral you choose for your loved one.

The average cost of a basic funeral with a cremation is £3,885 or with a burial is £5,033*. The most you can expect to receive is in the region of £1,700. So, you would still have to find money to pay for the extra and those figures do not include all the send-off costs like death and funeral notices, flowers, order sheets, limousines, the venue and catering for the wake.

Also, you may not receive the full payment.

What other options are there?

If you choose a direct cremation for your loved one’s send-off then you pay much less for the cremation and could have more money left over to hold a celebration of life or event which remembers your loved one in a way that is more personal to your memory of them.

The average cost of a direct cremation in the UK is £1,554* but as a social enterprise funeral director, we offer direct cremation for just £1,095 and we promise not to upsell like some other companies.

But that is not all….

We are charity owned and operated, so we also offer wrap around support from the moment you pick up the phone. We help our clients apply for the Funeral Support Payment and support with other areas such as registering the death. We also offer a free helpline for those who are really struggling and need more emotional support.

Direct cremation isn’t for everybody, but more people are choosing it – and not because it is a “cheap funeral”. Most of our clients actually come to us because it fits with their value base – a funeral that allows them the freedom to remember their loved one how THEY want – not how society dictates.

So, if you would like to find out more, then please do get in touch – your wellbeing is our only priority.

You can call our team on 03000 113 311 or email us on funerals@caledoniacremation.org.uk

*Sunlife Cost of Dying 2021 Report