Understanding Funeral Grants in Ireland - Who Qualifies & How to Apply
Funeral Grants in Ireland - Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Ireland no longer offers a general death grant, but families may still be able to get help with funeral costs. Depending on your circumstances, support may include an Additional Needs Payment, bereavement-related payments, or specific grants linked to work-related deaths, dependent children, income, or contribution history.
The general death grant is discontinued, but you may be able to apply for an Additional Needs Payment using an SWA1 form through your local Intreo Centre.
Review the documents checklist on this page, including the death certificate and funeral receipts, before starting your application.
Eligibility can depend on your income, your relationship to the person who died, your PRSI record, and whether there are dependent children.
Surviving spouses or civil partners may qualify for a once-off grant of €8,000 where the dependent-child conditions are met, or for a continuation of some social welfare payments.
A Special Funeral Grant of €850 may be available under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme if the death was work-related.
Dealing with a loved one's death is always challenging, and the financial burden of arranging a funeral can add to the stress. For families in Ireland, understanding the available financial support can be crucial.
With the rising cost of living, it's more important than ever to ensure that families can give their loved ones the dignified farewell they deserve without undue financial strain.
Is There a Death Grant in Ireland?
A common question we hear is whether there is a death grant in Ireland. The short answer is no. The general death grant was discontinued from 1 January 2014 and is no longer available. However, several other forms of help with funeral costs remain in place depending on your circumstances.
At Private Cremation, we are committed to assisting families during these difficult times, ensuring they receive the necessary support and guidance. Here's a quick guide about funeral grants available in Ireland, who qualifies for them, and how to apply.
What Help With Funeral Costs Is Available in Ireland?
Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, managed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
This payment does not require social insurance contributions and is based on the means of the person responsible for covering the funeral costs.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility for funeral grants in Ireland can depend on both your income and your relationship to the person who died. In most cases, a close relative or close friend who is responsible for the funeral arrangements may apply, provided they meet the relevant means or contribution criteria for each scheme.
Before You Apply
A Community Welfare Officer (CWO) often handles these payments, and it's advisable to apply to your local CWO at the Health Centre before settling the funeral bill. The assistance is usually paid directly to the funeral director.
Additionally, the SWA scheme can provide Additional Needs Payments in certain situations. Applying as soon as possible is essential, as many payments have specific time limits. Note that certain social welfare payments require a minimum number of PRSI contributions.
Payments That May Continue After a Death
If the deceased was receiving a social welfare payment, their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant may continue receiving this payment for six weeks after the death. It's crucial to notify the Department of Social Protection promptly.
This notification will not result in the immediate cessation of payments; many benefits continue for a specified period to support the bereaved family. If the deceased was receiving a State Pension, you should notify the Department of Social Protection as part of the same process.
Income Supports Following Bereavement
The Department of Social Protection offers various supports following a bereavement:
Support for Funeral Costs: Financial assistance to cover funeral expenses.
Payments for Widowed or Surviving Civil Partners: Grants and pensions for surviving spouses or civil partners.
Support for Parents or Guardians of Dependent Children: Financial aid for those responsible for young dependents.
Payments if Death is Work-Related: Benefits if the death resulted from work-related incidents.
Citizens Information keeps wider public guidance on social welfare, bereavement payments, and entitlements, while Private Cremation can help families understand how financial support fits around a simple cremation arrangement.
Supplementary Welfare Schemes
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme includes a basic payment, called Supplementary Welfare Allowance, and additional financial supplements for unforeseen expenses, such as emergencies. Administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs), this scheme is designed to help those with little or no income.
An Additional Needs Payment can assist with specific costs that cannot be met from your regular income, including funeral expenses. To qualify, you generally need to have a low or no income.
Grants and Payments Specific to Bereavement
Ireland has various grants and payments specific to different circumstances surrounding bereavement. To apply for one or more, you must provide the necessary documentation before the funds can be released. These include:
Death certificate, or interim death certificate if one has been issued
Birth certificate
Marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (to prove your relationship to the deceased)
Funeral receipts or a note of funeral expenses
The deceased person's Personal Public Service (PPS) number
Your PPS number may also be required
Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant
This once-off payment supports widowed individuals or surviving civil partners with dependent children under 18, or under 22 if they are in full-time education.
Eligible recipients must qualify for specific social welfare payments, such as the Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. The grant is a lump sum of €8,000.
Which Payments Can Support Your Application?
You must also qualify for one of the following payments:
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension
Death Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
A Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension under EU regulations or a bilateral social security agreement between Ireland and another country
When the Death Benefit Scheme May Apply
The Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension may be available to you if you are a surviving spouse or civil partner of a person who:
Died as a result of an accident at work
Died as a result of an occupational disease
Was getting Disablement Benefit assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death
A Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Death Benefit Scheme cannot be paid at the same time as a Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension.
Special Funeral Grant
Available under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme, this grant helps cover funeral costs if the death was work-related. The grant amount is €850.
To be eligible for this grant, the death must have resulted from:
An accident at work
An accident while travelling directly to or from work
An occupational disease.
The person must also have paid a minimum of one week's PRSI. To apply, contact your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office for the correct form and guidance.
Additional Needs Payment
The Additional Needs Payment is assessed based on income and circumstances. It may help with the essential elements of a dignified funeral and other expenses not covered by regular income. Eligibility is assessed based on income and circumstances, and the payment is discretionary.
You may qualify for an additional needs payment if you are:
Getting a social welfare payment
Working on a low income, regardless of the number of hours that you work
You can apply using the SWA1 application form and the SWA5 funeral expenses form. For Community Welfare Services, call 0818 607080. For general guidance, the Citizens Information Phone Service is available on 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm.
Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
The Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension is a means-tested benefit for those not qualifying for the contributory version. It is intended for widows, widowers, or surviving civil partners without dependent children. If you have dependent children, you should apply for the One-Parent Family Payment instead.
This pension is available to widowed individuals or surviving civil partners under 66 years old without dependent children who do not qualify for the contributory pension. Once you turn 66, you will switch to the State Pension (Non-Contributory).
Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
This pension provides a weekly payment to widows, widowers, or surviving civil partners whose deceased spouse or partner had enough social insurance contributions (PRSI). You might automatically qualify if your late spouse or partner received a State Pension (Contributory) with an increase for a dependent spouse or partner.
To be eligible, you must be a widow, widower, or surviving civil partner and not live with another partner. If you are divorced or your civil partnership has ended, you can still qualify if you would have been entitled to the pension while married or in the partnership. This pension is available regardless of your other income.
There is no automatic qualification if your deceased spouse or partner was receiving mixed insurance pro-rata, EU/Bilateral Agreement pro-rata, or Pre-53 pension. In these cases, you need to apply normally.
Guardian's and Orphan's Payments
If you are caring for an orphan, you may receive a social welfare payment, even if you are not the legal guardian. The payment is meant to support the orphan and can be given if they live with you and you are responsible for their care.
The payment can go directly to orphans aged 18 to 22 in full-time education who are not living with a guardian. There are two types of payments: contributory (based on the parent's PRSI) and non-contributory (based on a means test).
You can only claim one of the following:
Guardian's Payment (Contributory)
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)
Death Benefit/Orphan's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
One-Parent Family Payment
The One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is available to single parents due to the death of a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant. This payment is means-tested. If you also qualify for a Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension, you must choose which benefit is more advantageous as you cannot receive both.
You can receive OFP for up to two years after the death of your spouse, partner, or cohabitant or until your youngest child turns 18, whichever comes first. If you receive a Domiciliary Care Allowance for the child, OFP can continue until the child is 16. If you apply for OFP after the death, you may receive it for up to two years, but only until your youngest child turns 18.
Continuation of Social Welfare Payments
If a person receiving social welfare benefits dies, their surviving spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant may continue to receive payments for six weeks following the death. This support helps families manage immediate financial needs during the bereavement period.
These payments may cover the following:
State Pension (Non-Contributory) or State Pension (Contributory)
Injury Benefit or Incapacity Supplement
Other Support That May Help With Funeral Expenses
Some families may have access to support outside the main social welfare schemes. These options are not available in every case, but they are worth checking before final decisions are made about funeral costs.
Credit Union Death Benefit Insurance
Members of participating credit unions may receive a death benefit payment ranging from €1,300 to €3,250. Eligibility depends on the member's status and the specific conditions of the credit union's scheme.
Where to Get Extra Help
For further information on available support and how to apply, contact your nearest local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. You can also consult the Citizens Information Phone Service for guidance.
Planning ahead is a different decision from applying for immediate funeral support, so the pros and cons of prepaid funeral plans are best weighed separately.
Supporting You When You Need It Most
At Private Cremation, we strive to support and guide families through the financial assistance process, reducing their emotional and financial stress during these difficult times.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to speak to the Private Cremation care team, and we'll be more than happy to help in any way we can.
A simpler overview of eligibility and application steps is available on the funeral grants available in Ireland page.