Information
Death Certificate
A Death Certificate may be obtained from the local Registrar To find out who this is; you need to speak to the deceased persons General Practitioner, Nursing Home Doctor, Hospital Mortuary Technician or the Coroner involved.
If a post mortem has taken place, it could take anything from 3 months onwards for the Coroner’s inquest report to be established. You should contact the Coroner involved in relation to this.
Bereavement Grant
There is a bereavement grant available. The application form and explanatory booklet may be given to you at the time of the Funeral Arrangements or may be obtained from community care. You will need a copy of the Death Certificate / Interim Death Certificate and Funeral Invoice for this grant (this is not a means tested grant). A form is usually forwarded to you by social welfare when pension book etc. is returned.
Death Benefit
The Death Benefit is a Social Welfare Grant. This is to help towards the cost of the funeral expenses. The person that is paying for this should apply to the Social Welfare Officer at their local Health Centre – they should bring along a copy of the Death Certificate / Interim Death Certificate and a copy of the Funeral Invoice for this grant.
Old Age Pension Books
Pension Books should be returned to the local Post Office. If there is either a husband or wife left behind and they are not divorced or legally separated, they are entitled to the deceased person’s pension in full for a further 6 weeks. However, the pension book should be returned to the Post Office as soon as possible after the death has occurred and the 6 week pension will be sent to them in full within 2 to 3 weeks.
Widows / Widowers Contributory & Non-Contributory Pensions
The application forms and explanatory booklets may be given to a family member at the time of the funeral arrangements or may be obtained from our offices.
Carer’s Allowance
If a family member / friend is on Carer’s Allowance when the death of the person they are claiming for occurs the person claiming Carer’s Allowance is entitled to the allowance for a further 6 weeks. However, they must notify the Social Welfare Officer in question and he will post them the 6 weeks allowance in full within 2 – 3 weeks of notification.
Widowed Parent Grant
A Widow Parent Grant is a payment for a child up to the age of 13 years of a child or a child between the ages of 18 and 22 years in full time education. To find out more on how to qualify contact the Department Pension Services Office, Widowed Parent Grant Scheme.
An Exceptional Needs Payment
Administered by the Health Boards on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, may be available to give financial assistance if you do not have adequate means to pay for the funeral.
Probate
If an estate is to go to Probate it is recommended that a family member / executor or solicitor should do this. If you wish to contact the Probate Office they will assist you in every possible way.
Burial or Cremation
The choice of burial or cremation is yours. There is little difference in the overall cost should the family own a grave. However, if a new grave needs to be purchased, then this can add significantly to the cost of the funeral. When arranging for the opening of an existing grave, please provide us with the grave number or failing that, details of the person or persons interred in that grave. We will then make all the necessary arrangements.
Payment of Funeral Invoice
Funeral Invoices should be paid for within 30 days from the date of the invoice. Should a funeral account go to probate / solicitor any available funds in Banking Financial Institutions can by law be paid direct to the Funeral Undertaker on presentation of the invoice to that institution.
If you would like to learn more about the full variety of funeral products and services available from Henry Rankin Funeral Directors, please do not hesitate to get in contact with one of our members of staff, who will be more than happy to assist you with any queries you may have.