The Children’s Funeral Fund for England was launched in July 2019 providing bereaved parents with up to £2,000 towards the funeral costs for a child.

Paid for by the government, funeral providers can claim on behalf of families or parents can also claim directly if they choose not to use a funeral director.

In just six months of its launch, the government confirmed more than 1,000 parents have used the scheme, also known as ‘Martin’s Fund’.

The 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 tragic death of her eight-year-old son, Martin.

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

Burials and cremations must take place in England. The fund covers burial fees, cremation fees, including the cost of a doctor’s certificate, plus a coffin, shroud or casket (up to £300).

Claims need to be made within six months of the funeral.