Can I reclaim funeral expensis for an elderly relatives funeral that I paid for from the state?

Question

I live in England

Answer 1

It all depends.

The state will pay certain costs if your relative has left no money or other assets. The payment is made from the "Social Fund" - but you must claim before the funeral is arranged.

All funeral directors must offer what is called a "simple" funeral. If your deceased relative qualifies, the state will pay the basic funeral costs, including coffin, transportation to a crematorium chosen by the local council and various doctors fees. Any additional services have to be paid for seperatley (such as flowers, notice in the papers, limosines etc).

However, as I said, you must inform the funeral director before hand and the form claiming payment from the state must be submitted before the funeral.

If you have not done this - you cannot claim retrospectively.


PS - several previous posters have said "NO" - when that is not the correct answer. Why do people post answers in such terms when they clearly do not know the facts ? Surely if you don't know (as you clearly don't) it is better to say nothing than post innacurate answers !!

Answer 2

You would need to ask a solicitor in your locale. In the US, every state has its own rules. In my state, Florida, I am unaware of any claim for reimbursement of funeral expenses from the government. This is a cheeeeep state where social services are concerned.

If no one claims a decedent's body from the hospital or morgue, the county will bury a person in a Potter's Field. But there's no marker on the grave.

If the person who died had social security benefits, there might be a one-time death benefit claim of about $250.00, but that would hardly cover the cost of a funeral. (About $6,000.00 in Florida.) And I believe that money would only go to a surviving spouse.

Now, if your question is could you make a claim for reimbursement from the decedent's estate, the answer here would be "yes." But the decedent's estate is the assets they left behind; it is not the state/government. Time for making any such claim is limited by law.

After I wrote, I read AK's response. Clearly, you are asking for reimbursement after the fact. Even under his best scenario, you are shut out, if you already paid and are coming back with your hand out for reimbursement. Your best hope, it would seem, would be to make a claim against the decedent's estate. There might not have been cash on hand to pay for the funeral at the moment, but there could be assets from which you could be reimbursed. In Florida, one must make claims against an estate within 90 days of the publishing or giving of notice that the decedent's estate is being probated. If there has been no publication or giving of notice, the claim might be viable for up to 2 years. Good luck.

Answer 3

Called a Social Fund Funeral Payment - SFFP Speak to local Income Support office.

Answer 4

There is a department within the social secruity that do help with the cost of a funeral it used to be upto £1000 that you could claim, i dont know if the person that died had to be in receipt of some type of benefit or the person paying, you should contact ur local office and ask them to put you through to the correct department as always they will try to swindle there way out but if they do this you can always appeal good luck

Answer 5

In America, Social Security gives you a few hundred for a funeral. Don't know about England.

Answer 6

Only if you consider that a body living or dead is the property of the State.

Answer 7

I believe the sum you can claim from the state is or was £30.
this covers 'disposal of the body'.
Basically, use of crematorium, no service, just disposal.

Answer 8

Expenses supposedly paid by the government can be reimbursed if paid by another person.

Answer 9

If it is your relative then no, or we would all be doing that. I'm sorry if I rushed in there with an answer, but I really didn't think that you could.

Answer 10

Is this what the world is coming to...what's that old saying .oh yeah i remember ..stop the world i want to get off