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New service helping needy Dundonians cope with bereavement burdens

Nancy Finnie and Iona Summerton, development workers at Craigowl.
Nancy Finnie and Iona Summerton, development workers at Craigowl.

Money has been found for the funeral costs of struggling Dundonians thanks to a service that opened this year.

Since setting up in April, the Funeral Money Advice project, part of the Craigowl Communities charity, has generated £28,000 for 12 clients.

The issue of funeral costs was highlighted recently when people in Dundee, and Lochee in particular, raised £3,000 to pay for the send off of newspaper vendor Pauline Smith.

The charity said growing numbers of people face a shortfall when paying for a funeral for a friend or relative.

Project worker Iona Summerton said the charity helps those in financial distress find money to which they are already entitled.

She said: “We generate the money through funeral payments through the DWP, such as employment support allowance, bereavement allowance and other benefits, because people don’t know they can claim. It’s what they are entitled to but they didn’t know they were entitled to it.

“After bereavement people are often all over the place and we help them to make better judgments.

“We give people advice about where to go and what to do. We also help with filling in forms and making phone calls.”

Entitlements are different depending on individual circumstances.

Iona added: “If people don’t have money or savings or the person who died didn’t have insurance, funeral costs can be a huge burden on those left behind.

“It costs approximately £3,000 for a basic funeral.

“If people are going through bereavement and worrying about how they are going to pay for the funeral we can point them in the right direction.

“People have such a short time to make these decisions and it’s much better than asking for a loan they can’t pay.”

The project is relatively new and Iona said a lot of people still don’t know about it.

Anyone who would like to find out more can phone 01382 315700 or 07813 528381 or email funeralmoneyadvice@craigowl.com.

The project can also arrange home visits for people who are elderly or disabled and would have difficulty attending one of its centres.