Funerals can be expensive, so remember to check where the money for the funeral will come from before making any arrangements.  Otherwise, you may have to pay the bill yourself.  Check whether the deceased person had contributed to a scheme to pay for the funeral.

Check the deceased’s papers for a Cremation Society certificate, life insurance policy papers or details of any pre-paid funeral plan.  Also look for letters from previous employers with details about any occupational pension scheme or personal pension.  If no one is able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral, the local council, or in some cases the health authority, may do so, but only where the funeral has not already been arranged.

You may be entitled to funeral payment benefits from the Department of Social Security (DSS) to go towards the cost of a funeral.