Information about funerals for babies, children and persons under 18 in England, Scotland and Wales.

England

In England, the Children’s Funeral Fund for England was established to ensure no parent will have to pay for their child’s burial or cremation.

The Children’s Funeral Fund details and claim form

You can make a claim to the Children’s Funeral Fund for England if:

  • the child who died was under the age of 18 or stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy
  • the burial or cremation took place in England on or after 23 July 2019

Making your claim

  • You must submit your claim within 6 months of the date of the funeral.
  • You need to submit invoices or receipts to claim for any of the fees listed.

Forms for burial or cremation authorities and funeral directors to claim back fees and specific expenses for a child burial or cremation are here.

Wales

Wales has a scheme in place, whereby no fees should be charged for the burial of a child or person under the age of 18 (including stillborn and foetal remains), which we support.

What is included

  • Plot for burial or ashes interment – no charge
  • Grave preparation – no charge
  • Registration Fee – no charge
  • Ashes grave preparation – no charge
  • Memorial rights – no charge

What is not included

The wider costs of a funeral such as:

  • Funeral director’s charges
  • Coffin
  • Flowers
  • Newspaper announcements
  • Order of service
  • The cost of supplying and installing a plaque

The burial authority has to reclaim costs quarterly from the local authority.

Scotland

Scotland has a scheme in place, whereby no fees should be charged for the burial of a child or person under the age of 18 (including stillborn and foetal remains), which we support.

What is included

  • Plot for burial, ashes interment, or scattering – no charge
  • Grave preparation – no charge
  • Registration Fee – no charge
  • Ashes grave preparation – no charge
  • Memorial rights – no charge

What is not included

The wider costs of a funeral such as:

  • Funeral director’s charges
  • Coffin
  • Flowers
  • Newspaper announcements
  • Order of service
  • The cost of supplying and installing a plaque

The burial authority has to reclaim costs annually from the local authority.

Costs

These websites below may be useful in terms of what financial support you’re entitled to, and how to go about dealing with legalities, etc.

Adjacent plots

If you wish to reserve adjacent plots*, please let us know and we will mark up the register plan accordingly. The cost of reserving the plots can be spread over a time period to suit you, please see here to find out more.

*except at Henley, where new tree growth and woodland creation makes it impractical to reserve adjacent plots for use in decades to come.