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Recent press stories suggesting, rather dramatically, that ‘Britain’s funeral directors are refusing to bury benefit claimants’ are clearly not correct, according to the National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF). The media coverage reported on difficulties for funeral directors in deciding whether or not to press ahead with a funeral where the person making the funeral arrangements is seeking a payment from the Department of Work and Pensions.

‘We know from regular communication with our members, coupled with the high level of bad debts suffered in some areas, that in general very few cases are turned away. We would also clarify that whether or not the person being buried was on benefits is not relevant. It is the benefit status of the person making the arrangements that is important’ said Mervyn Pilley Chief Executive Officer.

‘Our members are caring professionals and will always seek to carry out their client’s wishes. Having said that our members are also running businesses and bearing in mind how much money they have to pay out in advance of the funeral they need to make a very quick commercial decision as to whether or not they are going to be paid.’

SAIF feels that the current, relatively slow, system for making decisions on payments from the social fund, managed by Job Centre Plus offices, is in need of an urgent overhaul. They also consider that the payment of £700 needs to be adjusted annually to allow for increased business costs outside of members control such as employers National Insurance.

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