A statutory bereavement award is a fixed payment of compensation that may be available under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 if a loved one dies because another person or organisation’s negligence caused or materially contributed to their death. Unlike other types of fatal accident compensation, the amount is set by law and is only available to certain eligible people. This means that not every fatal accident or every bereaved family member will qualify for a bereavement award.

Understanding whether you’re entitled to a bereavement award can feel overwhelming at an already difficult time, particularly when you’re trying to come to terms with your loss while also navigating the legal process. At Accident Claims, we provide clear, compassionate legal advice to help families understand the eligibility criteria, explain how the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 applies to their circumstances and determine whether a bereavement award may be available.

If you decide to seek legal advice, our specialist fatal accident solicitors can assess whether you’re eligible for a bereavement award, explain whether any other fatal accident compensation may also be available and support you throughout the claims process.

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We understand that trying to make sense of legal terminology while coping with the loss of a loved one can make an already difficult time feel so much worse. Our legal glossary is designed to explain key terms in plain English, helping you feel more confident about your options. If you need personalised advice, our specialist solicitors are here to guide you through the process with care and understanding.

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What Is A Bereavement Award?

A bereavement award is a fixed statutory payment of £15,120 that may be available to certain relatives when a loved one dies because of another person’s or organisation’s negligence. Unlike other types of fatal accident compensation, the amount is set by law rather than being calculated according to the individual circumstances of the death. It is only available where the legal eligibility criteria under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 are met, so not every bereaved family will qualify for this particular award.

A bereavement award is just one form of compensation that may arise following a fatal accident. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be entitled to pursue other types of fatal accident compensation.

Get in touch with Accident Claims to discuss whether your family could be eligible for a bereavement award.

Who Can Receive A Bereavement Award?

A bereavement award may be received by a deceased person’s spouse, civil partner, qualifying cohabiting partner or, in certain circumstances, the parents of a child who died while under the age of 18. Eligibility is determined by the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, so not everyone who is grieving will qualify, regardless of the closeness of their relationship with the deceased.

A bereavement award is separate from other fatal accident compensation, such as dependency claims, which may be available to eligible dependants for the financial or practical impact of the death. This means that someone who can bring another type of fatal accident claim will not necessarily qualify for a bereavement award, and vice versa.

Those who may receive a bereavement award include:

  • the deceased’s spouse;
  • a civil partner or qualifying cohabiting partner who lived with the deceased as spouses or civil partners for at least two years immediately before the death; or
  • in certain circumstances, the parents of a child who died while under the age of 18, or the mother if the child was born outside marriage.

If you’re unsure whether you or another family member may qualify for a bereavement award, our specialist solicitors can explain how the legal eligibility criteria apply to your circumstances and advise whether a claim may be available.

A family attend a funeral after a fatal accident

When Could A Bereavement Award Be Paid?

A bereavement award is paid after a successful fatal accident claim has been settled or decided by the court. Although it is a separate statutory payment, a bereavement award can form part of an overall fatal accident compensation claim where the relevant eligibility requirements are met.

Once liability has been accepted or the claim has been successfully resolved, the bereavement award is normally paid alongside any other compensation awarded. The exact timescale varies depending on the circumstances of the claim, including whether liability is admitted early or responsibility for the death is disputed.

If you’re unsure whether your family may be entitled to a bereavement award, our specialist solicitors can explain how the claims process works, assess your circumstances and advise whether a claim may be available.

How Is A Bereavement Award Different From Other Fatal Accident Compensation?

A bereavement award differs from other fatal accident compensation because it is a fixed statutory payment available to certain eligible people, rather than compensation awarded to reflect the individual financial losses or loss of services arising from a person’s death. The amount of a bereavement award is set by law and is only payable where the legal eligibility criteria under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 are met.

Other forms of fatal accident compensation are intended to compensate for specific losses arising from the death. Depending on the circumstances, these may include financial dependency, services dependency, funeral expenses or claims made on behalf of the deceased’s estate. Each type of compensation serves a different purpose and may be available alongside a bereavement award where the legal requirements are met.

If you’re unsure which forms of fatal accident compensation may apply to your family’s circumstances, our specialist solicitors can explain what may be available and guide you through the claims process.

Can A Bereavement Award Be Claimed Alongside Other Compensation?

Yes, a bereavement award may be claimed alongside other forms of compensation where the legal requirements for each part of the claim are met. This is because the statutory bereavement award is a fixed payment made in recognition of the bereavement, whereas other forms of compensation address different losses arising from the death. Rather than replacing other compensation, a bereavement award may form one part of a wider claim following a fatal accident.

Depending on the circumstances, a fatal accident claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 may also include compensation for financial dependency, services dependency and funeral expenses. In addition, a claim brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934 may include compensation for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity experienced by the deceased before their death, together with other losses that can be recovered by the estate. Each part of the claim has its own legal purpose and eligibility requirements.

If you’re unsure which forms of compensation may be available following the death of a loved one, our specialist solicitors can explain how the law applies to your family’s circumstances, advise which claims may be available and support you throughout the process.

A specialist solicitor explains who is eligible for the bereavement award

How Our Solicitors Could Help

Losing someone because of another person’s or organisation’s negligence is an overwhelming experience. Alongside grief, families are often left trying to navigate complex legal rules while coping with emotional, practical and financial pressures. At Accident Claims, our specialist solicitors provide clear, compassionate advice that’s tailored to your circumstances, helping you understand your legal options at a pace that feels right for you.

If you decide to pursue a fatal accident claim, our solicitors will take the time to discuss your circumstances, explain your legal options and advise you honestly about whether a claim may be available. We then investigate how the fatal accident happened, gather the evidence needed to support your claim and deal with those responsible on your behalf. Throughout the process, we keep you informed, so you always know what is happening and what comes next.

Every fatal accident claim is different, so we tailor our advice to your individual circumstances. We explain how the law applies to your situation, whether a bereavement award or other fatal accident claim may be available and what you can expect as your claim progresses. By managing the legal process on your behalf, we aim to ease some of the burden at an already difficult time, giving you and your family the time and space to focus on one another.

Understanding Whether A Bereavement Award May Apply

Our solicitors can advise whether you meet the legal eligibility criteria for a bereavement award under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. Because bereavement awards are only available to certain relatives in specific circumstances, it’s important to understand your legal position before deciding whether to pursue a claim.

If a bereavement award may be available, we’ll explain how the legal criteria apply to your circumstances and whether other aspects of a fatal accident claim could also be pursued. Every family’s circumstances are different, so we provide advice that’s tailored to your situation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Funding A Fatal Accident Claim

Many families worry about the cost of seeking legal advice after losing a loved one, particularly at a time when they may already be facing emotional and financial pressures. Where appropriate, many fatal accident claims can be pursued on a No Win No Fee basis, through a contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), helping to remove some of the financial uncertainty associated with making a claim.

Under this type of agreement, you will not pay upfront solicitor’s service fees to begin your claim. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay your solicitor’s service fees for the work they have carried out, subject to the terms of the agreement.

Instead, if your claim is successful, then a pre-discussed success fee will be taken from your compensation. Before you decide whether to proceed, we’ll explain exactly how a No Win No Fee agreement works, answer any questions you may have and make sure you understand how it applies to your individual circumstances.

Speak To Our Team

Losing someone you love can leave you with many questions about your legal rights at an already overwhelming time. If you’d like clear answers or simply want to understand whether a bereavement award may apply, our specialist solicitors are here to listen, explain your options and guide you through the next steps with care, compassion and understanding. Contact Accident Claims today to discuss your family’s circumstances in confidence.

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