The Children's Funeral Fund was established in 2019 to help to pay for some of the costs of a funeral. The fund is operated by the Ministry of Justice and can help pay towards the fees and expenses for burials and cremations for any child or baby funeral.
The criteria you need to meet to get help from the Children's Funeral Fund for England are:
- that the child must be under 18 at the time of death or stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy.
- the burial or cremation must take place in England
- the claim for costs must be made within six months of the date of the funeral
The Fund is available to all families, regardless of income and it is not means-tested.
What the fund covers
The Children’s Funeral Fund for England can help pay for the:
- burial fees
- cremation fees, including the cost of a doctor’s certificate
- coffin, shroud or casket (up to a cost of £300)
If you have other funeral expenses, you might be able to apply for Funeral Expenses Payment to cover them. You or your partner must be getting certain benefits.
Funding is available regardless of the religious faith of the child, or that of their parent(s), guardian or carer. There are no nationality or residency requirements.
Burial and cremation authorities and funeral directors claim the fees directly from the fund, so no fees are charged to the family.
Cremation fees and burial fees, which include the cost of the burial plot, are covered by the fund subject to claim criteria.
Please see the CFF for further information.
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