Disbursements are essentially fees that we pay out on behalf of the family, ie Doctor's Fees where appropriate, Cremation/Cemetery Fees and Parochial Fees etc. Our written estimate will detail the approximate cost of any disbursements. However you will appreciate that we will have no direct control over these charges, and they could therefore be subject to slight variations. These costs can be settled by one single payment, rather than by many different bills to be settled by the estate.

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Doctors Fee or Crematorium Forms

No one can be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known. These certificates must be paid for and listed under disbursements on our estimate and account. The cremation certificates are not required when the death is referred to the coroner.

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Help with funeral costs

The following information should be treated as general guidance. We are not able to guarantee the availability for a loan, but we do understand how the DWP makes a decision.

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Who is entitled to help

If there is not enough money to pay for the funeral and you are responsible for making the funeral arrangements you may be able to get a social fund funeral payment to help you with the cost. To qualify you or your partner must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. Claim packs are available from your local social security office.

Check what amount of money is available from:-

The estate of the person who has died, such as money from bank or building society accounts

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Any insurance policies or charities, lump sum payments made by a pension scheme or relatives, (either yours or those of the person who has died).

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Any savings you have in a bank or building society, National Savings (including certificates or premium bonds) or in cash at home.

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The savings may be in your name or in the name of your partner.

The Bereavement payment does not count as savings.

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The social fund may make a contribution towards the cost of a simple funeral within the United Kingdom. This includes;

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• Bringing the body home if the person died away from home but within the United Kingdom.

• The Death Certificate

• A standard coffin

• Hearse for the coffin and bearers

• Flowers from the person who is arranging the funeral

• Contribution towards fees of the funeral director

• Cemetery fee or Cremation fee

• Doctors fees.

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