Thousands of bereaved families who lose children can now get up to £2,000 funeral costs paid by the government thanks to the Children’s Funeral Fund.

Through the scheme, funeral providers will be able to directly claim burial or cremation costs, as well as a contribution towards the cost of a coffin, so that parents do not need to worry about managing these expenses. Parents can also claim directly from the scheme if they choose not to use a funeral director.

The launch of the new fund comes after a commitment by then Prime Minister Theresa May to help ease the financial burden for grieving parents, and follows a cross-party campaign led by Carolyn Harris MP after the death of her eight-year-old son, Martin.

The scheme is available regardless of a family’s income, and will cover costs for children under 18 and stillbirths after the 24th week of pregnancy.

Edward Argar, justice minister, said: “The loss of a child is a tragedy which no parent can prepare for. While nothing can ever remove the pain that bereaved families experience, this government is determined to do everything in its power to ease the burden on them, which is why, in line with the Prime Minister’s pledge, I have developed the scheme which comes into force today.

“The Children’s Funeral Fund will provide bereaved parents with much-needed support and I am proud to have worked alongside such dedicated campaigners to make this important scheme a reality.”

Andy Fletcher, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, said: “No bereaved parent should ever have to worry about how to meet the cost of their child’s funeral just at point when they are trying to come to terms with their loss.

“Yet this is often the case for parents of seriously ill children, many of whom will have suffered years of financial hardship as they tried to meet the additional costs of caring.

“The Children’s Funeral Fund will provide much needed support for these families. It is vital that every parent in England who loses a child knows that it is there for them.”