Help with Funeral Costs for Ex-Servicemen and Women

Coping with the loss of a loved one is an emotionally difficult time and to lose someone while they are serving, it can be incredibly traumatic. Having to deal with financial costs on top of your own grief can be overwhelming but there is support available - whatever the circumstances are around the death. Financially, the government and veteran charities may be able to assist you with funeral costs for ex-servicemen and women, and you can find out more about who can help right here.

Where can I get financial help and support?

There are a number of ways you can claim funeral expenses through the government:

Funeral expenses for Servicemen and women who died in Service

You will receive both financial and bereavement support from The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) and your Visiting Officer. They will be able to support you through the process. The Ministry of Defence pays for a military funeral and regardless of whether it is a private or military service, the person arranging the funeral will receive a funeral expenses grant to help cover other costs. Read the JCCC’s Purple Pack Bereavement Guide here.

Funeral expenses for War Pensioners and Veterans

You are eligible to claim funeral expenses for a veteran whose death was due to service before 6th, April 2005. Or

• War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance was being paid or would have been paid had the War Pensioner not been in hospital when they died, or
• Unemployability Supplement was in payment at the time of death and the War Pension was being paid at 80% or higher. 

Funeral expenses payment if you are on low income

You may be entitled to a Funeral Expenses Payment if you get certain benefits. You can find out more here.

Funeral expenses and grants are also provided by military charities, the Royal British Legion for example, or the RAF Benevolent Fund and SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity. You can find other charities who can help here. 

As well as financial support, a number of Service charities offer bereavement support to military families through welfare services and support groups across the tri-services, widows’ associations and specialist support for military children. 

Financial Support for Bereaved Military Children

As well as bereavement support, there are a number of schemes and organisations who can offer financial support with education costs. These include:

Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA): Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is offered by the MOD to assist with funding a place in boarding school. If you already receive CEA, this may continue to be claimed depending on the regulations in place when the death occurred. 

Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme: The scheme aims to provide post 16 education scholarships to bereaved service children.

Charities Several Service Charities and other Charities can offer educational grants. They can also offer advice and guidance on additional sources to be explored if a grant is not possible. 

Compensations and Pensions

Pension and compensation rules are complex but it is important to know what you may be entitled to, we have information on the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and for further advice, we recommend you speak to the Veterans Welfare Service. And for information on the War Widow (er) pensions, go to the government website.