Help with funerals and bereavement

Dealing with a bereavement can be overwhelming and stressful – The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is here to help.

How we help with the funerals of RAF and ex-service personnel

Bereavement can be an incredibly stressful time for everyone involved, which is why we offer support and guidance for anyone going through bereavement who is an ex-service personnel. 

We may be able to help with funeral expenses depending on the eligibility of the person who has died.

Scenarios we cannot help with funeral funding

Sadly, there are circumstances where we cannot assist with funeral costs, and these are as follows:

No next of kin through the Local Authority

In situations where there is no next of kin, the Local Authority has a legal obligation to arrange a cremation or burial. We cannot assist the Local Authority with these costs.

This does not mean we cannot offer other support avenues, such as emotional or family support. 

Statutory support through the Department for Work and Pensions

Before you can request funeral support through our fund, you will first need to apply to the Department for Work and Pensions to see if you are eligible for statutory support. If you are eligible and get cover for the entire funeral, you will not be able to get additional financial support through the Benevolent Fund.

If a statutory funeral payment can't be made or doesn’t cover the full cost, we may be able to help cover the costs. 
 

Scenarios where funeral financial support may be available

Here are some examples of situations where we can potentially offer financial support for funerals:

War Pension Scheme

If the deceased was in receipt of a war pension and their death was caused or hastened by an injury that they incurred while serving, then you may be able to make a claim for funeral costs through Veterans UK. We can help you with your claim.

See our legal helpline page for more information.

No payment from the Department for Work and Pensions

If the Department for Work and Pensions denies statutory support, or if the provided funding is insufficient to cover funeral expenses, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund may be able to offer additional financial assistance.

Request funeral support today.

Bereavement support

For those struggling with bereavement, we can offer you support through our Listening and Counselling Service.

Paying tribute

Tribute pages provide a focal point for family and friends to leave messages and share memories.  They can also be used to collect donations and organise memorial events.

We’ve partnered with Muchloved to create a simple process when setting up your own Tribute Fund. You can do that here. If you would like some help with creating your Tribute, please call us on 020 7580 8343 or email hello@rafbf.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help.

If you'd like to include a reading, poem or prayer associated with the RAF, see some of the suggestions we have collated.

If you are planning a funeral for someone who served in the RAF and you would like to honour the person's service as part of the funeral, the RAF Association provides some useful information on how to go about this.