Funerals

When a Service person (including Reserve forces when on duty and Foreign and Commonwealth (F&C) personnel) dies on duty, it is MOD policy to arrange a funeral at public expense, or to provide funding towards the cost of a private funeral dependent upon the wishes of the Next of Kin.

Viewing the Body
For a natural death, there is normally no difference from any death in civilian life. However, for the death that happens in operational circumstances and / or in a theatre of war, there may be other complicating factors.

The NOK and bereaved family has the right to view the body after repatriation should they wish.  However, it is important that they are given informed advice as to the state of the body if there is any chance that it will cause unnecessary distress.  This advice can come from the Coroner, the MOD Contractor who is tasked with  accepting the body from the  point of entry to UK , or the undertaker. 

In  accidents resulting in multiple deaths it may take some time for DNA evidence to be gathered and identities confirmed.

In some cases there is no body and this poses its own particular problems with  acceptance, especially when the death happened away from home .

Registering a Death
All deaths must be formally registered in order to obtain a Death Certificate.  Deaths in the UK must be registered by the Registrar of the district where the death took place.  However UK Registrars are not able to register deaths overseas, even for UK nationals.  Nevertheless it is still possible to obtain a UK registration (and a UK death certificate) for deaths overseas among members of the armed forces, but it must be done by a legally authorised Registering Officer.

Headstones
Where the burial is carried out at public expense, whether in the UK or overseas, MOD pattern headstones are erected if the NOK request it or if the burial is in a military cemetery. There is no  variation in  headstone if provided  by MOD – this is in accordance with the War Graves  Commission specification for all war  graves. The graves are maintained at public expense, including graves purchased at public expense in civilian cemeteries.

Overseas funerals
Two people are entitled to travel and accommodation at public expense to attend the funeral overseas of a Service person who has died on duty. 

The funeral may be at any location in the UK or in the country where death occurred whilst serving overseas (subject to any overriding local conditions) or, in the case of Foreign and Commonwealth personnel, either in their Country of Origin or the country in which the NOK are normally resident.

Wherever the funeral is held, the family will be eligible to receive the rate of Funeral Grant they would have been entitled to had the funeral been held in the UK. 

In circumstances where Service personnel are killed whilst in Service, but whose bodies are never recovered, the NOK may choose to have a headstone, urn plot marker or equivalent memorial plaque or an entry in a crematorium or other Book of Remembrance provided from public funds. 

Help with funeral costs
The Royal British Legion can provide funding for the basic costs of funerals.  However, the Legion cannot provide assistance for additional funeral expenses such as headstones, memorials, food or flowers. 

Grants for basic funeral costs are normally only available to a spouse or partner who has been refused a Funeral Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Social Fund.  Where these criteria are not fulfilled, the Legion can only offer assistance by approaching other organisations on behalf of the family, such as Regimental Associations.

Further information is available from the Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA). Tha appointed Visiting Officer (VO) will be able to advise you on what is and what is not covered in the funding provided.

Service Personnel Veterans Agency, Veterans Welfare Service (SPVA VWS)
This country-wide veteran support agency appoints a Welfare Manager and they will visit in support of the VO to help the NOK to apply and obtain their entitled Service pension and /or compensation. In addition because they are locally based they are well versed in advising on most of the non military aspect of the administration necessary after a death for example:

1. Probate
2. Death Certification
3. Local Welfare support
4. Non Service Housing
5. PAX Insurance
6. Tax Issues relating to a death

You should be aware they are not Financial Advisors. However, they are trained welfare workers. The SPVA VWS is the long term point of contact for all Service related enquiries although you will be provided details of other Service organisations which will be able to either satisfy your enquiry or pass you to the right organisation. Your SPVA VWS Manager will work together to provide as much help as possible so do not hesitate to contact them at any time.  

Advice on who to speak to or write to can be obtained from the SPVA Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre the details are: Telephone: 01452 519951 FAX: 01452 510807 – this is a 24hour 365 day service.

Suggested Check List of things to do 

1. Register death/get death certificate
2. Complete either Armed Forces Compensation or War Widows(ers) claim form
3. Complete Armed Forces Family Pension claim form
4. Contact Department for Work and Pensions to find out entitlement
5. Complete Department for Work and Pensions forms
6. Tell Council Tax Department of single adult occupancy if living in privately owned house/flat
7. Return driving licence to DVLA (if not already done by the Services)
8. Tell DVLA (if needed) of new details for the car log book
9. Tell car insurance company and confirm the insurance is amended to cover new owner/driver
10. Return passport to relevant office (if not already done by the Services)
11. Contact Life Insurance company/trust fund if policies held
12. Tell Bank/Building Societies/Credit, Debit card of changes
13. Cancel any subscriptions/direct debits to magazines/ health clubs/savings accounts etc
14. Contact the Tax Office and complete a tax return for the deceased person
15. Tell utility companies if your spouse/partner was signatory
16. Contact your local Police for advice on what to do if your spouse/partner held a Firearms Licence

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