Date published:
The Child Funeral Fund is delivered as part of the Social Fund and was introduced in Northern Ireland on 1 June 2022. Annually, in Northern Ireland there are approximately 144 deaths of children from birth up to and including age 17 and post-24 week still-births.
The Child Funeral Fund was established by the Social Fund (Child Funeral Fund) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (“the 2022 Regulations”) to provide a one-off lump sum payment to cover the cost of a basic funeral in Northern Ireland. This one-off payment of £3,441 is to cover the cost of a basic funeral in the event of the death of a child up to the age of 18, and stillborn babies born after 24 weeks. Families have the choice to receive the payment or have it paid directly to the funeral director.
Existing/Revised/New: Revised
Date of Screening: 20/10/2026
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No
