You might be able to claim Bereavement Allowance from the government if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner aged between 45 and state pension age.

It is paid to you for up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner.

The amount you receive depends on the overall level of your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s National Insurance contributions, and YOUR age at the time of their death.

To receive Bereavement Allowance, you must be aged 45 or over when your husband, wife of civil partner died; be under state pension age; your husband, wife or civil partner must have paid National Insurance contributions; you are not bringing up children; you have not re-married or re-formed a civil partnership whereby you are living with another person as though you were married / had formed a civil partnership.

Form BB1 must be completed and sent to your local Jobcentre Plus. You can get the form from either your funeral director or your Jobcentre Plus.