Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration Understanding Client

Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration Understanding Client Liability, Entitlement and Consumer Regulations within the Funeral Service

Aims & Objectives • Know about client liability and options for meeting funeral costs. • Understand the implication of an available, valid Last Will and Testament. • Know where to search for a Last Will and Testament. • Know the potential financial assistance available to meet funeral expenses. • Understand the purpose and use of pre-paid funeral plans. • Understand current consumer regulations and current liabilities.

Intestacy rules • Where the deceased dies with an estate worth £ 250, 000 or less the spouse takes all • where the estate is £ 500, 000 the spouse takes £ 250, 000 and the children take £ 125, 000 on attaining age 18 and a further £ 125, 000 when the surviving spouse dies • where the estate is £ 1 million the spouse takes £ 250, 000 and the children take £ 375, 000 on attaining age 18 and a further £ 375, 000 when the surviving spouse dies

Proving a Will • • Must be the executor Find the will / fill in a Lost Will form Estimate estate value Pay fee of £ 215 for estates >£ 5 k Fill out an IHT form Apply online Simples! • If no Will, get Letters of Administration as follows: • Same procedure for probate, but • Must be spouse, civil partner or child of deceased person (evidence required) • Apply online

Financial help

• Funeral should be taking case in the UK • Must claim within 6 months of funeral • Claimant must be one of the following: Basic criteria • the partner of the deceased person when they died • a close relative or close friend of the deceased • the parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy • the parent or person responsible for a deceased child who was under 16 (or under 20 and in approved education or training) • Receive a qualifying benefit

Qualifying benefits (as at 03. 07. 2020) • Income Support • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Pension Credit • Housing Benefit • the disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit • Child Tax Credit • Universal Credit

Always covered by the DWP • The cost of any documents needed for the release of the money, savings and property of the person who has died • Cost of removal over 50 miles • Funeral journey over 50 miles • for coffin and bearers. • The necessary cost of a return journey for the claimant either to • arrange the funeral, or to • attend the funeral • Up to £ 1000 for any other funeral expenses • eg. the coffin, vehicles and the Funeral Director’s fees

Also covered by the DWP For Burial For cremation • The cost of opening a new grave and burial costs • the cremation fee • doctors’ fees • pacemaker removal (or other) • Incl. the fee purchase of exclusive right of burial • The cost of reopening a grave and burial costs, or

Children’s Funeral Fund Will pay: • Burial or cremation costs (that authority should apply) • £ 300. 00 toward the price of a coffin for the FD Eligibility • Child is <18 or still born after 24 wks • No means testing • No residency or nationality criteria

Deceased person must have: Also from the Government • Paid NI for 25 wks • Or had an accident at work • Died on or after 6 April 2017 Bereavement Support Payment Spouse or civil partner must • be under state pension age • live in UK or country that pays bereavement benefits • not be in prison • claim within 3 -21 months Rate First payment Monthly payment Higher rate £ 3, 500 £ 350 Lower rate £ 2, 500 £ 100

Bereavement Support Payment values Rate First payment Monthly payment Higher rate* * if receiving child benefit or £ 3, 500 £ 350 £ 2, 500 £ 100 pregnant at time of death Lower rate

Trades Unions (example from Unison) • Complete application form • Send • 2 months’ pay slips • 2 months’ bank statements • Funeral director’s invoice • Application sent to Welfare Dept. • Payment payable to FD up to £ 1500. 00 • Will not pay out if funeral funded from other sources

Charities (example) • • Evidence required of employment in the sector and its duration Funding made as a crisis grant Might be for a dependant’s funeral Evidence of hardship required • 3 months bank statements, showing salary in and routine expenses out) • • • No set ceiling; each case on its merits Application form filled out and posted to the charity with FD’s account Charity considers application and looks at position of related parties 4 -6 week turnaround Payment made direct to FD Will not pay if funding has been secured from other sources

Friendly Societies (Foresters example) • Member goes to local branch • Branch discusses and applies (or not) to Head Office • Committee at Head Office considers application • Favourably as supported by branch • No means test • Award paid to member • Ceiling of £ 1000. 00 Forester’s Friendly Society also pays £ 500. 00 p. a. to child members who lose a parent.

Company pension schemes • Usually a Death in Service benefit • Only in the case of non trust-based pensions • Executors apply through company’s HR dept. • Apply direct to pension plan provider according to their procedure (which will differ from firm to firm) accompanied by Certified Copy of an Entry of Death

Insurance • may be hypothecated to a funeral plan • pay monthly premiums, but • like any insurance, you must keep paying or it won’t • over time you may spend more than it pays out or the plan costs • gh

Mrs De. Lamie’s funeral plan Plan value: £ 3126. 37 Disbursement allowance: £ 937. 44

Mrs De. Lamie’s funeral plan Cremation fee Humanist officiant Doctor’s fees Orders of Service Floral tributes Death notice £ 830. 00 * £ 215. 00 * £ 84. 00 * £ 275. 00 £ 300. 00 £ 162. 20 TOTAL: £ 1866. 20 • Plan value: £ 3126. 37 • Disbursement allowance: £ 937. 44