Paying for the Funeral

A dignified funeral, whatever your budget.

Funeral Payment Options

Rowland Brothers provide many different options to pay for a funeral – those options are all listed below. Rowland Brothers will provide you with a fully itemised estimate for the funeral services orders and this estimate needs to be paid in full two days prior to the funeral to avoid postponement of the funeral.

A full and final invoice which may include any last minute adjustments to the services such as additional funeral flowers, extra staff required on the day, funeral running over 3 hours in duration, will be provided within 7 days after the funeral date and the balance should be paid within 14 days of the date of the invoice.

We do appreciate that funerals can be expensive and present very real difficulties to families who have not made prior provision for such expenses – we have therefore provided as many payment options as possible – those payment options are listed below:

1. By cash or by cheque

All cheques should be made payable to Rowland Brothers Ltd.

2. By debit or credit card

We accept all major credit cards – we do not make a charge for payments by card.

3. By bank transfer

Please ensure you add our funeral reference number to the transfer reference – please ask your arranger or our finance department for the bank account details.

4. Payment from the deceased’s bank account

Should there be sufficient funds within the account to pay for the funeral then all payments for the funeral can be made directly from the deceased’s bank account – you will require a copy of Rowland Brothers Invoice, a copy of the death certificate and identification – the benefit of paying via this method is that all such costs are removed from the estate for inheritance tax purposes.

Should there not be sufficient funds to pay for the funeral and a property is required to be sold then Probate will be required – call our legal services help line for assistance. We suggest that you finance the funeral cost via option 4 and when the estate is settled pay off the finance agreement.

5. Funeral Finance

Rowland Brothers provide funeral finance via an agreement with FCA regulated provider Funeral Safe Funeral Finance – Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors are appointed representatives of Funeral Safe Ltd, independent Funeral Finance Lenders.

Find Out More

6. Assistance from the Department of Work and Pensions

You may seek assistance from the Department of Work and Pensions to help pay for a funeral.

Find Out More

Paying for a Funeral

Help spread your funeral costs through simple monthly payments with Funeral Safe, partners of Rowland Brothers.

Check Your Loan Eligibility

Finance Plans

Payment options

You choose the amount

Whole or part of funeral costs £500 – £7500

You choose the terms

12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months

You have control

Personal login area to manage your account

How it works

3 simple steps to apply for your finance directly with Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors:

1.

You can apply when arranging the funeral with Rowland Brothers. Just ask our arranger for finance options and they will organise the application for you.

2.

Upon a successful application you will receive a text message and email containing your loan agreement. If you are happy with everything in the loan agreement you can accept it via the link in the email.

3.

Once you have accepted the agreement we are notified and all that you need do then is make the payments of the loan.

Apply online

Funeral Safe will provide you with a personal account login to manage your finance. Furthermore, they are available to offer any support you may need in regard to the finance and its repayments.

Our funeral finance agreement is very flexible and transparent – should you wish to settle the balance earlier than the agreement states you can do so without penalty and the interest charge will be adjusted to match the payment period.

Apply now

Assistance from the Department of Work and Pensions

You may seek assistance form the Department of Work and Pensions to help pay for a funeral.

The Department for Work and Pensions may be able to help with some of the costs of a funeral through the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme, which can contribute towards the funeral director’s fee and disbursements (fees Rowland Brothers pays on your behalf, such as crematorium fees).

Funeral Expenses Payment can help to pay for some of the costs of the following:

  • Burial fees for a particular plot
  • Cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
  • Travel to arrange or go to the funeral
  • The cost of moving the body within the UK, if it’s being moved more than 50 miles
  • Death certificates or other documents

Payment amounts, eligibility criteria and how to claim can change, so for the most up-to-date information please visit the official government guidance: GOV.UK – Funeral Expenses Payment

Last reviewed: 29 July 2026

Who qualifies for assistance?

Who qualifies for assistance?

Eligibility for Funeral Expenses Payment depends on your circumstances, including whether you or your partner receive a qualifying benefit (such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Income Support), your relationship to the person who died, and where the funeral takes place.

Because eligibility rules and the list of qualifying benefits can change, please check the current criteria directly on GOV.UK rather than relying on a fixed list here: GOV.UK – Funeral Expenses Payment: Eligibility

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, our team is also happy to point you toward the right resources — just get in touch.

Last reviewed: 29 July 2026

Apply for assistance

If you think you qualify and want to make an application – please complete the relevant form:

Adult funeral

Adult funeral claim form notes

Child funeral

Child funeral claim form notes

You must inform Rowland Brothers that you wish to make a claim – if you do not this may lead to a postponement of the funeral.

Call the government’s bereavement service helpline (0345 606 0265) or visit their website www.gov.uk/funeral-payments – to find out how to get help with funeral payments and if you’re entitled to any help.

Rowland Brothers Foundation logo

Rowland Brothers Foundation: Dedicate a Memory, Support a Life

The Rowland Brothers Foundation supports local people who are bereaved, offering counselling and help in times of need. By donating, you can dedicate a special memory to your loved one and honour their life while giving comfort and support to others in your community.

Rowland Brothers Foundation logo

Rowland Brothers Foundation: Dedicate a Memory, Support a Life

The Rowland Brothers Foundation supports local people who are bereaved, offering counselling and help in times of need. By donating, you can dedicate a special memory to your loved one and honour their life while giving comfort and support to others in your community.

Rowland Brothers Foundation logo

Rowland Brothers Foundation: Dedicate a Memory, Support a Life

The Rowland Brothers Foundation supports local people who are bereaved, offering counselling and help in times of need. By donating, you can dedicate a special memory to your loved one and honour their life while giving comfort and support to others in your community.

Call us any time

We’ll be here when you need us. Please call us with any questions or concerns:

0800 0789 636

Croydon: 020 8684 1667

Purley: 020 8660 5547

Old Coulsdon: 01737 555 202

Warlingham: 01883 623 067

New Addington: 01689 842 046

Beddington: 020 8681 2001

West Wickham: 020 8777 4502

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