After the Funeral

Financial Advice & Supports

Funeral Account & Payment

At Griffin’s, during the funeral arrangement process, each family will be asked to sign a Letter of Engagement. To ensure transparency and clarity, this includes the option to receive an estimate of costs once all arrangements have been confirmed.

A Funeral Account will be issued to the family representative approximately 3 to 4 weeks after the funeral, though it can be made available sooner if required.

Payment is generally requested within 60 days. However, we understand that this may not always be possible. With open communication, we are happy to work with families to accommodate individual circumstances.

Payments may be made via online banking (bank details are provided at the bottom of the Funeral Account) or in person at our office by cash, cheque, bank draft, or credit/debit card. When making an electronic payment, please quote the Funeral Reference in the payment narrative to ensure the funds are correctly allocated.

Arranging payment with the deceased’s own funds

Probate
Probate is a legal process that may need to be completed after someone dies. It confirms the validity of a will (where one exists) and gives the person or people legally entitled the authority to deal with the estate of the deceased. In some cases, probate is not required.

Further information is available on the Courts Service website (courts.ie).

People are often unaware that funeral expenses are a priority debt and are payable from the assets of the deceased in every estate, whether the estate is solvent or insolvent. Funeral costs can usually be paid before a Grant of Probate is issued.

Banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions will generally pay the funeral account on receipt of a Funeral Account, a Death Certificate or Interim Death Certificate, and the relevant forms completed for that institution. Many institutions will also reimburse other funeral-related expenses prior to probate.

Helpful form download links:

• Bank of Ireland
• PTSB
• AIB

In addition, a solicitor may, at the request of the executors, arrange payment of the funeral account before probate is granted, provided the estate has sufficient funds. As circumstances can vary from case to case, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

Credit Union DBI
A qualifying deceased member of a Credit Union may be entitled to a Death Benefit Insurance (DBI) scheme payment. Credit Unions may make a payment directly to a funeral director, usually within a few weeks, once a Funeral Account and a Death Certificate or Interim Death Certificate have been provided by the nominated family member on the account

Government assistance with Funeral Costs

Clients who may experience difficulty paying funeral costs could qualify for assistance under the Funeral section of the Department of Social Protection Additional Needs Payment Section. This payment is designed to help with essential expenses that cannot be met from weekly income or other resources, such as savings.

An Additional Needs Payment may be available if a client is:

• In receipt of a social welfare payment.
• Earning an income below a certain threshold, as determined by the Department of Social Protection (regardless of the number of hours worked).
• Experiencing financial difficulty paying funeral costs for other reasons.

Applicants do not need to be in receipt of a social welfare payment to qualify. All applications are assessed based on income and individual circumstances to determine eligibility.

Application forms are available via the links below, from Citizen information or directly through our office. While Griffin’s is happy to assist clients with the application process, responsibility for ensuring the application is completed and submitted correctly, and ultimately the funeral account is paid in full, rests with the client. Griffin’s cannot accept responsibility for the discretionary decision made by the Department of Social Protection of an application.

Other circumstantial Government assistance.

Bereaved Parent Grant 

 The Bereaved Parent Grant is a once-off payment to widows, widowers or surviving civil partners with dependent children under 18 years old, or in full time education up to 23 years old. The current rate is €8000.

Application Form

Occupational Injuries Scheme

If a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease, Death Benefits (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme) may be paid to their partner or dependent child. Death Benefits may also be paid if, at the time of their death, the person was getting a Disablement Pension assessed at 50% or more, regardless of the cause of death.

Helpful information regarding Social Welfare.

If a spouse or partner dies while they are receiving a Social Welfare payment such as the state pension, unemployment benefit, disability benefit etc., payments will continue to be made for 6 weeks after the death.

While Griffin’s makes every effort to ensure the above information is current, clients are advised to refer to the Citizens Information link below to ensure accuracy.

Citizen information Link

Acknowledgements

The main purpose of an Acknowledgment Notice is to thank all those who have contributed to the life of your loved one and also to thank those who helped with the funeral service.

It is generally published 4 to 6 weeks after the funeral and can be published across various media outlets.

It can also be combined with the First Anniversary notice for those who need more time. Our staff can help you draft the wording and process the publication.