Funeral Grants Available

Death of Social Welfare Recipient  – Six Weeks Further Payments

When a person passes away while in receipt of a social welfare payment, the payment will usually continue to be paid to the surviving next of kin for 6 weeks after the date of death if they are a named dependent. In the case of a carer’s allowance, it will continue for an extra 12 weeks.  Contact your local social welfare office for more information.  For old age state pension matters please ring the helpline at 1890 500 000 or check www.welfare.ie

Department of Social Protection Funeral Grant – €1000 to €3000

A person applying for this grant must be in receipt of a social welfare payment.  This funeral grant is means tested and is at the discretion of the community welfare officer.  An application form may be obtained in the applicant’s local community welfare office which is usually in the local health centre or social welfare office.  The status and means of the applicant and the deceased will then be considered by the community welfare officer.  The funeral invoice must be in the name of the applicant and all relevant details provided. A cheque if issued will then be made payable to the funeral director directly.

Widowed Parent Grant of €8,000

If at the date when a parent is widowed, there are children left in the family under 18 years or 22 years and in full time education, then the widowed parent will receive a €8,000 widow’s/widower’s grant.  Please ring 1890 500 000 for more information or check www.welfare.ie. The form for this grant may be downloaded at  https://www.gov.ie/en/service/a5a053-widowed-or-surviving-civil-partner-grant/

Other grants are available in certain circumstances. Please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/847761-recently-bereaved/ to obtain more information.