Comparison · 2026/27
Funeral Expenses Payment vs Bereavement Support Payment
Both benefits help after a death, but they cover very different things. The Funeral Expenses Payment is a means-tested contribution towards funeral costs, partly recoverable from the estate. Bereavement Support Payment is a National Insurance-based payment to a surviving spouse or civil partner, usable for any purpose. This guide compares eligibility and how they interact.
At a Glance
| Feature | Funeral Expenses Payment | Bereavement Support Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Means-tested | National Insurance record |
| Use of money | Funeral costs only | Any purpose |
| Who claims | Person arranging the funeral | Surviving spouse/civil partner |
| Repayable from estate? | Yes, up to amount paid | No |
| Payment structure | Costs covered, capped | Lump sum + up to 18 monthly payments |
| Can claim both? | Yes, if eligible for each independently | |
Exact payment amounts change periodically — verify current figures on gov.uk before relying on them.
How Funeral Expenses Payment Works
To qualify, the claimant must already be receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit and be responsible for arranging the funeral — usually a close relative or partner of the deceased. The payment covers necessary documented costs such as funeral director fees, burial or cremation fees, and one return journey to arrange or attend the funeral, plus a smaller contribution towards other costs, all subject to a capped total amount.
Importantly, any money later recovered from the deceased\'s estate — savings, insurance payouts, or property — must be repaid to DWP up to the value of the payment received. This makes the Funeral Expenses Payment function partly as an interest-free advance against the estate rather than a guaranteed, unconditional grant, which can surprise claimants who expect to keep the full amount regardless of what the estate later yields.
How Bereavement Support Payment Works
Bereavement Support Payment is available to a surviving spouse or civil partner under State Pension age when their partner died, provided the deceased met the National Insurance contribution conditions (or died from an industrial accident or disease, which removes the contribution requirement). It pays an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 further monthly instalments, at a higher rate for those with dependent children or who are pregnant.
Unlike the Funeral Expenses Payment, there is no means test and no requirement to spend the money on any particular purpose — it is designed to support the surviving partner through the wider financial adjustment of bereavement, not just the immediate funeral cost. Claims should be made within 3 months of the death to receive the maximum number of monthly payments, though a reduced late claim is possible up to 21 months after the death.