Funeral allowance higher than this year. Further changes are planned

In January, the amount of the funeral allowance increased from PLN 4,000 to PLN 7,000. zloty.

In particularly difficult situations - e.g. when it is necessary to bring a body from abroad - the family may also apply for a specific benefit from social assistance. It does not depend on the income criterion, but requires documentation of justified expenses.

The payment rules also changed in January. The statutory deadline for transferring money has been shortened from 30 to 14 days. During the May deliberations of the parliamentary subcommittee on social security, the representative of the Institute indicated that the average waiting time at ZUS is approximately 9 days.

The plant also reduced the number of required documents, including: from the data of the Civil Registry Office. KRUS works similarly, where the average payment time is approximately 10 days, according to May declarations.

Funeral homes will receive the money directly

Thanks to this year's changes, funeral homes can directly receive part of the money from the funeral allowance. The deceased's relatives no longer have to finance everything themselves and only then wait for a refund from the state. By May, nearly 8,000 were completed. such payments.

A new facility is to appear in 2027. A special electronic system for funeral homes will then be launched. The assumption is that it will reduce formalities and shorten the time needed to transfer documents between the funeral home and ZUS.

PLN 2.6 billion has been planned for the payment of funeral benefits in 2026.

Grave fees and outdated regulations

During the above-mentioned discussion, experts pointed out that burial expenses do not end on the day of the funeral, because the so-called the right to a grave must be extended (usually after 20 years). Failure to pay the fee applies especially to lonely people, homeless people or those whose funeral was financed by the commune.