If you live in Scotland and are arranging a funeral while receiving certain low-income benefits, you may be entitled to Funeral Support Payment — a grant from the Scottish Government that helps with burial or cremation costs and a contribution toward other funeral expenses. It is distinct from the similar DWP scheme in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and is administered by Social Security Scotland.
This guide explains who qualifies, what the payment covers, how much you are likely to receive, and how to apply. If you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, see our guide to Funeral Expenses Payment instead.
Who can claim Funeral Support Payment?
To qualify, you must meet all of the following conditions at once:
- You normally live in Scotland
- You or your partner receive a qualifying benefit
- You are responsible for paying for the funeral
- The deceased lived in the UK
- The funeral is taking place in the UK (there are limited exceptions for EEA nationals or exceptional circumstances)
- You apply within six months of the funeral
Qualifying benefits
You or your partner must be receiving at least one of the following when you claim:
| Qualifying benefit |
|---|
| Universal Credit |
| Income Support |
| Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance |
| Pension Credit |
| Housing Benefit |
| Child Tax Credit |
| Working Tax Credit (disability or severe disability element only) |
You can still apply if you received Universal Credit within the last month but it has since stopped. You can also apply while waiting for a benefit decision — your eligibility will be assessed once that decision is made. (Source: mygov.scot — who can apply)
Responsibility for the funeral
You must be the person who has accepted financial responsibility for the funeral — and it must be reasonable for you to have done so. Social Security Scotland applies a nearest-relative hierarchy when assessing this:
- A spouse, civil partner, or cohabiting partner (together for at least six months) is considered the nearest relative
- If there is no partner, the nearest relative is a parent, child, sibling, or grandparent
- If you are a friend or more distant relative, you will need to explain why it was reasonable for you to take on the responsibility — for example, because the deceased had no living close relatives, or because those relatives are estranged
The scheme does not have the same “better-placed person” rule that catches some claimants in England and Wales (where a working close relative can block your claim). Social Security Scotland instead focuses on whether your assumption of responsibility was reasonable in the circumstances. (Source: Citizens Advice Scotland — Funeral Support Payment)
What Funeral Support Payment covers
The payment has two parts: an essential costs element (paid in full) and a flat-rate contribution toward other expenses.
Essential costs — paid in full
These are covered at whatever the actual cost is, with no upper cap:
- Burial or cremation fees (including alkaline hydrolysis)
- Burial plot purchase and grave-digging costs
- Medical certificates required for the funeral
- Transport of the body, if it needs to be moved more than 49.7 miles
- One return journey for you to arrange or attend the funeral
- Medical costs — a fixed amount of £26.80 is included toward medical documentation
Other funeral costs — flat rate of £1,327.75
On top of the essential costs above, you receive a fixed contribution toward other expenses such as the funeral director’s fee, the coffin, flowers, and the service. The current flat rate is £1,327.75.
If the deceased had a fully paid pre-paid funeral plan, this element is reduced to £162.05 — covering only items the plan does not include.
What it does not cover
- Memorial services or remembrance events held separately from the funeral
- Burying ashes or powder after cremation or alkaline hydrolysis
- Wake or catering costs
- Headstones or memorials
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Burial or cremation fees (in full) | Memorial services separate from the funeral |
| Burial plot and grave-digging | Ash burial after cremation |
| Medical certificates (+ £26.80 fixed amount) | Wake or catering costs |
| Body transport over 49.7 miles | Headstone or memorial |
| One return journey to arrange or attend | Items covered by a pre-paid funeral plan |
| Up to £1,327.75 for other costs (coffin, flowers, etc.) | Any shortfall above the flat rate |
Rates last verified: May 2026, source: Citizens Advice Scotland — Funeral Support Payment and mygov.scot.
Will it cover the full cost?
The average funeral in Scotland costs around £4,000. The payment covers burial or cremation fees in full plus the flat-rate contribution, which means a straightforward cremation with reasonable additional costs could be largely covered — but a full burial with extensive extras will likely leave a shortfall.
Does it need to be repaid?
Yes, in part. If the deceased left an estate, the payment becomes a priority debt recoverable from that estate once it is settled. If the deceased died under 18, no deductions are made from the payment for assets. (Source: Citizens Advice Scotland)
How to apply
Deadline
You must apply within six months of the funeral. You can apply before the funeral takes place — you do not need to wait until it is over. If you are awaiting a qualifying benefit decision, you are given an additional 20 working days after that decision is made.
By phone (recommended for most people)
Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Advisers can take your details, check your eligibility, and submit the claim on your behalf.
Online
Apply at mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment. Note that the online form does not have a save-and-resume function — have all your documents ready before you start.
By post
Download the paper form from mygov.scot or request one by calling 0800 182 2222, then post it to Social Security Scotland.
What you will need
- Your National Insurance number
- The deceased’s full name, date of birth, and date of death
- The funeral director’s invoice or confirmed costs
- Details of any insurance policies, pre-paid funeral plans, or savings left by the deceased
- Your bank or building society account details
How the payment is made
The money can be paid directly to you, or Social Security Scotland can pay the funeral director on your behalf. Only one person can receive Funeral Support Payment for any given funeral.
Funeral Support Payment vs Funeral Expenses Payment
Scotland runs its own scheme independently of the rest of the UK. If you live in Scotland, you apply to Social Security Scotland. If you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you apply to the DWP.
| Funeral Support Payment (Scotland) | Funeral Expenses Payment (England, Wales, NI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | Social Security Scotland | Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) |
| Other costs cap | £1,327.75 | £1,000 |
| Pre-paid plan cap | £162.05 | £120 |
| Phone | 0800 182 2222 | 0800 151 2012 |
| Apply online | mygov.scot | gov.uk/funeral-payments |
| Time limit | 6 months from funeral | 6 months from funeral |
| Burial/cremation fees | Covered in full | Covered in full |
| Estate repayment | Yes, recoverable from estate | Yes, deducted from payment |
The qualifying benefits lists are broadly similar, though the Scottish scheme includes Child Tax Credit and the disability element of Working Tax Credit. Scotland’s scheme also uses a “reasonability” test for who is responsible for the funeral, rather than a strict nearest-relative rule that can block claims when a working close relative exists.
For the full England, Wales, and Northern Ireland guide, see Funeral Expenses Payment.
Common questions
Can I claim if the funeral has already happened?
Yes. You can apply at any time from the date of death up to six months after the funeral. Most people apply after the funeral once they have received the final invoice from the funeral director. (Source: mygov.scot)
What if I am on Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a qualifying benefit, so yes — if you receive Universal Credit and you are responsible for the funeral, you can apply. You can also apply if you received Universal Credit within the last month and it has since ended.
What if the deceased had savings or an estate?
Any money available from the deceased’s estate will be used to reduce the payment. This includes savings, insurance payouts, burial club funds, and occupational pension lump sums. If the deceased left no estate or died under 18, no deductions are made. If probate is ongoing when you apply, Social Security Scotland can make an initial payment — and may recover the appropriate amount from the estate once settled. (Source: Citizens Advice Scotland)
What if probate takes longer than six months?
The six-month deadline applies to your application, not to estate settlement. Apply within six months of the funeral regardless of where probate stands. You can note on your application that the estate is unresolved — Social Security Scotland will factor this in. If the deceased had significant assets, a portion of your payment may later be recovered from the estate.
Does receiving Funeral Support Payment affect my other benefits?
No. The payment is not counted as income for Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits and does not affect your benefit entitlement.
What if my application is refused?
You have the right to request a redetermination (similar to mandatory reconsideration under the DWP). If you are still unhappy after redetermination, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Social Security Chamber). There is no fee to appeal. Citizens Advice Scotland and welfare rights advisers can help you challenge a decision.
Other help with funeral costs in Scotland
If Funeral Support Payment does not cover the full cost — or if you do not qualify — there are other options:
Local authority funeral — if nobody is able to pay for a funeral, the local council has a duty to arrange one. Contact your local council’s environmental health or bereavement services team.
Charitable grants — Turn2Us maintains a database of grants for people in financial difficulty, some of which cover funeral costs.
Direct cremation — typically £1,000–£1,500, with no ceremony at the crematorium. The ashes are returned to the family. Our guide to funeral costs covers this option and what to expect.
Funeral director payment plans — many will defer or split payment, particularly while a Social Security Scotland claim is being processed.
Sources and further information
- mygov.scot — Funeral Support Payment — official application portal and guidance
- Social Security Scotland — Funeral Support Payment — policy detail and background
- Citizens Advice Scotland — Funeral Support Payment — plain-English eligibility guide (last updated April 2026)
- CPAG — Funeral Support Payment Scotland — welfare rights detail
If you are a surviving spouse or civil partner, you may also be entitled to Bereavement Support Payment — a separate tax-free benefit worth up to £9,800, available in both Scotland and the rest of the UK.
For an overview of all financial support available after a death, visit our benefits hub. For practical guidance on next steps after a death, see what to do when someone dies.
Rates and eligibility last verified: May 2026. Sources: mygov.scot, Citizens Advice Scotland.