Financial Worries and Your Mental Health
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Funeral costs can feel overwhelming.
You don't have to face the money worries alone.
Losing someone is difficult enough without worrying about how you're going to pay for everything.
Funeral costs, household bills, debts, changes to income and unexpected expenses can all add extra pressure when you're already grieving.
You may feel frightened.
You may feel embarrassed.
You may feel as though everyone expects you to know what to do.
You don't have to.
There are organisations that can help you understand your options and find out whether you may be entitled to financial support.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Money worries can have a real effect on your mental health.You might find yourself:
- Constantly worrying about bills
- Struggling to sleep
- Feeling anxious or panicky
- Avoiding opening letters or checking your bank account
- Feeling ashamed about debt
- Feeling overwhelmed by paperwork
- Worrying about how you're going to pay for the funeral
- Feeling that you have nowhere to turn
If this is happening to you, please don't suffer in silence.Asking for help with money isn't a failure.
Funeral Costs
Funerals can vary considerably in cost depending on the choices made and the services required.
You may be worried about paying for:
- Funeral director fees
- Cremation or burial fees
- Cemetery or church fees
- A coffin or casket
- Transport
- Flowers
- Funeral stationery
- A celebrant or minister
- The wake or reception
- Additional funeral services
You don't necessarily have to choose every available option.
Ask questions.
Ask for a written estimate.
Make sure you understand what is included.
And remember:
A meaningful funeral doesn't have to be the most expensive funeral.
The Funeral Companion has information about funeral choices, costs and planning to help you understand your options.
Help With Funeral Costs
If you're worried about how a funeral will be paid for, there may be support available depending on your circumstances.
GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment
If you're on certain benefits and responsible for arranging a funeral, you may be able to get help through the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme.
The amount of help available depends on your circumstances and the costs involved.
Eligibility rules apply, so always check the current GOV.UK information rather than relying on information from another website.
Find out more:
https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
GOV.UK also provides information about what happens after someone dies, including benefits, financial matters and other practical responsibilities.
Bereavement support:
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can provide information about a range of financial and practical issues following a death.This can include:
- Benefits
- Debt
- Housing
- Money problems
- Legal issues
- Funeral costs
- What happens to debts after someone dies
Their advice is free and independent.
Visit Citizens Advice:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
You can also find your local Citizens Advice service through their website.
Turn2us
Turn2us helps people find out whether they may be entitled to benefits, grants or other financial support.
Their benefits calculator can help you explore what support might be available based on your circumstances.
They also provide information about charitable grants.
Visit Turn2us:
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper provides free, government-backed guidance about money and financial decisions.
You can find information about:
- Money worries
- Debt
- Benefits
- Bereavement
- Managing your finances
- Financial decisions after someone dies
Visit MoneyHelper:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/
If you're unsure where to start with a financial problem, MoneyHelper can be a useful place to find reliable information.
StepChange
If funeral costs or other financial pressures have left you struggling with debt, StepChange provides free debt advice.
You don't have to wait until your situation becomes a crisis. Their advisers can help you understand your options and work through your financial circumstances.
Visit StepChange:
If You're Worried About Paying for a Funeral
Try not to panic and agree to costs you don't understand.
Before making arrangements, ask:
What is included in the price?
Are there any additional charges?
Can I have a written estimate?
Are there less expensive alternatives?
Which parts are essential and which are optional?
Can the funeral be personalised without adding unnecessary costs?
You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to compare prices. And you are allowed to take some time to understand what you're being offered.
Don't Borrow Money Without Understanding the Consequences
When someone dies, families can feel enormous pressure to give them the funeral they believe they deserve. But please don't feel that you have to put yourself into serious financial difficulty to create a meaningful farewell.
If you're considering borrowing money or taking on debt to pay for funeral costs, seek independent financial or debt advice first.
Citizens Advice, MoneyHelper and StepChange can help you understand your options.
Money Problems Can Affect Your Mental Health
Financial stress and grief can feed into one another.
You may be worrying about money during the day and lying awake thinking about it at night.
You may feel guilty about the financial situation.
You may feel embarrassed to tell anyone.
You may be trying to protect other family members from your worries.
Keeping everything inside can make the pressure feel even heavier.
Tell someone you trust.
You could say: “I'm really worried about money and I don't know what to do.”
That's enough to start the conversation.
If You're Feeling Overwhelmed
You don't have to solve your entire financial situation today.
Start with one thing.
Open one letter.
Make one phone call.
Write down what you owe.
Find out what help you might be entitled to.
Ask someone to sit with you while you make the call.
One small step is still a step.
Your Mental Health Matters Too
Money problems can feel frightening, but you are more important than the money.
If financial worries are affecting your mental health, you can also speak to your GP or a mental-health professional.
If you simply need someone to talk to, Samaritans can be contacted free on:
116 123
Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year. (samaritans.org)
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical help, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
Remember
Asking for financial help isn't a failure.
Asking questions isn't being difficult.
You don't have to understand everything immediately.
You don't have to deal with debt alone.
And you don't have to sacrifice your own wellbeing because you feel you have to provide an expensive funeral.
There is help available.
Useful Financial Support
GOV.UK
Funeral Expenses Payment and bereavement benefits.
https://www.gov.uk/funeral-paymentshttps://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement
Citizens Advice
Free, independent advice about money, debt, benefits, housing and legal matters.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Turn2us
Benefits calculators, grants and financial support information.
MoneyHelper
Free, government-backed money and financial guidance.
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/
StepChange
Free debt advice and support.
Samaritans
Someone to talk to if money worries or grief are becoming overwhelming.116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
We're here to help you find your way — not to make financial decisions for you.
If you're worried about funeral costs or money after a death, use the organisations above to find independent, up-to-date advice.
You don't have to work everything out on your own.thefuneralcompanion.co.uk