Every parent’s worst fear is that they will outlive their children, or that their children will fail to reach adulthood. Imagine having to face that reality and then, at a time when you are overwhelmed with grief; having to find the money to give your child a proper funeral.
Thankfully, the Ministry of Justice has announced that from 23rd July 2019, there will be a Children’s Funeral Fund for England. This will mean that no parent will have to pay for their child’s burial or cremation, no matter what the parents’ income may be. This is due to be announced in the Autumn budget later in the year.
Each year around 4,350 children in England will die and a further 2,700 babies are stillborn. Currently a baby who is born after 24 weeks of pregnancy must be re-registered by the registrar of births and deaths.
What is the Children’s Funeral Fund?
The Children’s Funeral Fund is a Government ‘pot’ which aims to offer practical support and funding to bereaved parents at a time of need by providing financial assistance for burial and cremation fees, as well as a contribution towards the cost of a coffin.
Every local authority across England will waive the burial or cremation fees and the cost of the child’s funeral service will be paid for. Currently, the average cost of a funeral in England is £3,800.
The campaign for the Children’s Funeral Fund was made by bereaved parents and led by Swansea MP Carolyn Harris, whose eight-year-old son Martin passed away.
Impact
The effect of the Children’s Funeral Fund means that heartbroken parents will be able to grieve without the added burden of financial pressure and will not have to worry about the standard of funeral their child will receive.
For advice regarding Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney or Trusts, please telephone me on 01332 364436 or e-mail me at j.robinson@timms-law.com.
Further information regarding the loss of a child can be found at https://www.sands.org.uk/ or https://www.childbereavementuk.org/grieving-for-a-child-of-any-age
