Frequently Asked Questions

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If you are struggling with bereavement, you are not alone. When you lose someone you love, coping with bereavement and the grief can be all-consuming.

Everyone is different and you’ll react to the loss in a way that is unique to you. But grief support is available. You might find it helps to talk with someone outside your immediate family or to someone who has been through a similar experience.

When you’re grieving it’s normal to feel disbelief, numbness, anger, physical and mental pain, guilt, depression, and regret. Thinking you’re seeing or hearing someone who has died is also a common experience and can be both comforting and distressing. The old adage ‘time heals’ is true but the reality is that grief takes a different course for us all and sometimes we need a little bereavement help.

You can talk to religious ministers, hospital chaplains, or people from organization's that help bereaved people.  For professional bereavement care, you could call one of the following: 

THE SAMARITANS

The Samaritans provide confidential non-judgmental emotional bereavement support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

Telephone: 08457 909090

Email: jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org

THE BRITISH HUMANIST ASSOCIATION

The national charity supporting and representing people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.

Telephone: 02070 793 580 or visit www.humanism.org.uk

CHILD BEREAVEMENT CHARITY

The Child Bereavement Charity provides specialized bereavement support, information and training to all those affected when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved.

Telephone: 01494 446648 or visit www.childbereavement.org.uk

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE

Cruse helps anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Services are free to bereaved people. The charity provides bereavement grief support and offers information, advice, education, and training services.

Day by Day Helpline: 08444 779400

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk or visit www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

 Normally a funeral service will take place seven to ten days after someone passes away.  However, this time frame will sometimes vary depending on the circumstances.  It’s recommended that as soon as someone passes away you should contact a local funeral director to begin making funeral service arrangements.

We understand the financial strain that funeral organization can bring, and provide extensive support to help ease this burden. If you find yourself grappling with the financial aspects of a funeral, our dedicated team is ready to discuss various options tailored to your needs. Reach out to us for compassionate assistance with funeral expenses Hartlepool and surrounding areas. We are committed to guiding you through this process and exploring all available options. 

• Assistance with Funeral Expenses
• Priority of Funeral Costs and Bank Payments
• Settling Funeral Costs
• Eligibility for Funeral Payment Assistance
• Bereavement Support Payment and Other Options
• Considering Funeral Finance
• Assistance with Funeral Expenses
• 
  

Understanding the financial burden a funeral can impose, we are here to help. If you’re facing difficulties in funding the funeral and require support, our team is ready to discuss various options with you. Don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance with funeral expenses We’re committed to guiding you through this process and exploring all available options.

Priority of Funeral Costs and Bank Payments.

It’s important to note that funeral expenses are prioritized above other debts in the deceased’s estate. This means if there are sufficient funds in the deceased’s bank account, banks will typically release these funds directly to the funeral director to cover the costs. We encourage families to explore this option with the bank first, as it can relieve the immediate financial pressure of paying the funeral expenses out of personal funds.

Eligibility for Funeral Payment Assistance.

You may be eligible for a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund, which assists with funeral expenses. This benefit is means-tested and requires the person arranging the funeral to receive government benefits. It covers essential burial or cremation costs and up to £1,000 towards the funeral director’s fees for deaths after 8th April 2020.

Bereavement Support Payment and Other Options.

If your spouse or civil partner passed away on or after 6 April 2017, you could be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment, depending on specific criteria. To qualify, your partner should have either paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks or died due to a work-related accident or disease.

If your spouse or civil partner passed away on or after 6 April 2017, you could be eligible for 

Bereavement Support Payment, depending on specific criteria. To qualify, your partner should have either paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks or died due to a work-related accident or disease. 

At the time of their death, you must have been under the State Pension age and living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits.

Further Information and Support.

For comprehensive details about these benefits and to apply for assistance from the Social Fund, please visit www.direct.gov.uk or your nearest Job Centre Plus. They can also provide guidance about funeral expense payments. 

If the deceased was part of a company pension scheme, you might be eligible for support with funeral expenses through the scheme. Contact the pension provider for more information. 

Considering Funeral Finance?

If you’re contemplating a loan for funeral expenses, Funeral Safe provides tailored solutions to help manage the costs associated with funerals. Here are some key points:

Range of Loans: Funeral Safe offers unsecured loans ranging from £500 to £10,000, enabling a broad range of financial needs to be met​.

Flexible Repayment Terms: These loans can be repaid over a period ranging from 12 months to 5 years, offering flexibility to suit different financial situations​.

Interest Rates: The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) varies from 10.75% to 27.9%, depending on the individual’s circumstances and credit assessment​.

No Early Settlement Fees: Borrowers have the option to repay their loan early without incurring additional fees, providing more control over their financial commitments​.

Regulated Lending: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorises and regulates Funeral Safe, ensuring a reliable and trustworthy service​.

Company Background: Created by experts from the funeral industry and financial sector, Funeral Safe is governed by a board of representatives from both fields, ensuring a deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by those arranging funerals​.

Application Process: The process to apply for funeral finance is straightforward. It involves receiving a finance offer through a funeral arranger or directly from Funeral Safe’s website, accepting the offer via electronic signature, and then having the funeral account settled directly with the funeral director. The repayment journey commences on the agreed date​.

These features demonstrate Funeral Safe’s commitment to providing accessible and tailored financial solutions for those facing funeral costs.