Help with Funeral Costs

[chloesnannykaz]

My neighbour has passed away and her daughter is only 17 so cant claim for help toward the cost. Help is only available for partners or spouses. She only receives child benefit. Does anybody know of any charities or organisations that could help her please .
Thanks

[bednobs]

most funeral directors will accept a payment plan if she speaks to them and explains the situation. Did the mum have any assets that can be sold?

[woofgang]

has she talked to the citizens advice bureau? If she really cant afford it, and she may not want to do this, then the council have to fund a funeral if there is no one else who can. Is there not estate at all to fund it?

[Kassee]

I definately wouldn't be looking to borrow money for the funeral. If help is only available for partners or spouses, then what happens when there is no-one at all, a funeral will still take place.

[woofgang]

Kassee the council pays. All undertakers must offer one funeral for the council rate.

[EDDIE51]

Read this link carefully ,in this case (as the daughter is under 18) a friend of the deceased can apply for a funeral grant. It says 'a close friend' but there is no way they could check if for example a neighbour did the organising.
http://www.direct.gov.../Bereaved/DG_10018660
As you have been told all funeral directors HAVE BY LAW to offer a funeral for the price of the grant. They don't like doing it but If you insist they have no choice.

[humbersloop]

Good evenng chloe, is the deceased's 17 year old daughter only receiving child benefit?

Good evening redribbon. I don't understand your point or how it helps answer chloe's question.

[EDDIE51]

Cloesnannykaz, read my link ! , if there is no partner or spouse then a close relative or friend of the deceased can organise the funeral and get the funeral grant ! It is just not true that only a partner or spouse can get the help. If that was true no one who was single or widowed could ever get a funeral grant which would be absurd.
As a neighbour who knew the deceased you could organise the funeral and get the grant. If there was money in the estate the grant may have to be repayed but only if there was cash left other wise it is not repayable.

[brainz]

I would try your local Citizen Advise (CAB)

[hc4361]

bednobs, a 17 year old can't get credit for a funeral plan or anything else - you have to be 18.

The local council is obliged to arrange the funeral if nobody else is willing or able.

[EDDIE51]

bednobs, another point, once the Mum has died all her possessions form part of her estate, they can't be sold until the estate has been finalised. This is anther point that will need to be addressed who is going to be the executor ? it can't be the daughter is she is under 18.
Sorry bednobs, I know you mean well , but advising a child to sell her mothers possesions to pay for the funeral is just not helpfull and in this case is actually illegal.

[pizza]

Poor girl hope there is family somewhere to support her and she's lucky having a neighbour x