06/06/2022

New Child Funeral Fund Comes Into Operation

A new Child Funeral Fund, offering a one-off lump sum payment of £3,056 to help families with the cost of a funeral on the death of a child under 18 or in the event of a stillbirth after 24 weeks, has now come into operation, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced.

Welcoming the new Fund, Minister Hargey said: "I am committed to making real change by supporting people when they need it most and there can be no more difficult circumstances than the loss of a child.

"The Child Funeral Fund will help lessen financial stress for bereaved families during the most devastating of times.

"The Fund will not be means-tested meaning it is available to everyone regardless of their financial status."

Minister Hargey continued: "On bringing forward this scheme, I asked my officials to ensure the application process is straightforward so that no additional burden or stress is caused to bereaved families.

"A payment from the Fund will support families who are dealing with loss and grief by easing some of the financial concerns that can come with the death of a child."

Applications to the Child Funeral Fund can be taken over the telephone by calling the Bereavement Service Helpline on Freephone 0800 085 2463 or by application form available to download from the NI Direct website.

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

28 March 2022
New Child Funeral Fund To Be Established
A new Child Funeral Fund is to be established, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced. Making the announcement, Minister Hargey said: "The Child Funeral Fund will support families at a time of devastation and sadness in their lives and help ease the financial pressures that can come with the death of a child.
01 June 2006
Free help with Child Trust Funds at Big into Baby show
Anyone with any questions regarding what best to do with the £250 voucher given to every child born on or after September 1 2002, should make their way to the Big into Baby show at the King's Hall this weekend, where HM Revenue & Customs staff from the Child Trust Fund Office will be on hand to answer any queries you have about investing the vouche
19 September 2023
18-21 Year Olds Urged To Check Unclaimed Child Trust Fund
Young people across the UK are being urged to check if they have an unclaimed Child Trust Fund (CTF) after a recent UCAS study found many 18-21 years olds had yet to claim their cash. Child Trust Funds were a long-term, tax-free saving accounts given to every child born between 01 September 2002 until 02 January 2011.
18 April 2002
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
10 January 2012
More Work Needed To Tackle Child Poverty
According to recent research more needs to be done to get children in Northern Ireland out of Poverty, with the British Government being blamed for the elimination target slipping. The charity Barnardos has revealed that two areas in Northern Ireland have two of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK.