Arranging a child funeral: A loving send-off

Organising the funeral of a child is something no parent should have to face. It’s important to create a support network around you, be it friends or family. Alternatively, we are here to offer guidance and support during this difficult time.

How to plan a funeral for a child

At Funeral Partners, our trained professionals are able to offer guidance, support and compassion at this difficult time. We are here to listen and help you make the right decision for your family; making sure you give your loved one the perfect send-off is our number one priority.

In addition, we offer our professional services free of charge for those children who had not reached the age of 18. This includes:

Professional services
Transfer and care of the child
Ceremonial vehicle and staff
Embalming (optional)

To help personalise your child’s funeral, we offer additional services that can include:

Limousines
Horse-drawn hearse
Specialist vehicles
Floral tributes
Dove releases
Condolence stationary
Memorial masonry and temporary grave markers

For more information, including costs, please contact your local funeral home.

Do you have to pay for a child’s funeral?

As of 23 July 2019, for children’s funerals in England and Wales, the Government introduced the Children’s Funeral Fund for England (CFF). A scheme which provides financial support for families who have lost a child under the age of 18 or a baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy. It helps cover the following:

Cremation fees or burial costs
A contribution of £300 towards a coffin or casket
Doctor’s fees
Urn or ashes casket

Furthermore, you may be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment (England and Wales) if you meet the following criteria:

You get certain benefits or tax credits
You meet the rules on your relationship with the deceased
You’re arranging a funeral in the UK, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

How much is a child’s funeral?

As mentioned before, we cover the professional services costs of your loved one’s funeral. You may also be entitled to financial assistance from the government. However, the total cost will depend on what extras or upgrades you choose to include. Here are some examples of funeral costs:

Child’s casket – prices start from £100
Basic coffin – prices start from £225
Child’s crib – prices start from £250
Children’s urns – prices start from £99
Memory bear urn – prices start from £50
Keepsakes – prices start from £40

For our full list of prices, please get in contact with your local funeral home and they can discuss your options.

What to say at a child’s funeral

A funeral plays a significant role in the inevitable grieving process that follows the death of a loved one, especially for bereaved parents. If you are delivering a eulogy or speech at a children’s funeral, it’s best to speak from the heart. To help you find the right words, you may wish to share a meaningful poem or religious passage.

What to wear to a child’s funeral

When deciding what to wear to your child’s funeral, there’s no right or wrong way to approach it. Some grieving parents prefer to wear all black, whilst others will choose to wear their child’s favourite colour or pattern. For more information about what to wear to a funeral, please see our guide.