Benefits
Funeral grant
Covers incurred, necessary funeral expenses.
Who is entitled to this grant?
The person who covers the expenses related to the funeral must apply for the grant.
In order to be entitled to a funeral grant
- the deceased must have been a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
- the funeral must have already taken place
- expenses must have been incurred in connection with the funeral
EEA nationals may also be entitled to a funeral grant.
The grant covers actual, necessary expenses in connection with a funeral. The grant does not cover expenses related to a memorial gathering.
You may also be entitled to support for necessary expenses related to transportation of the deceased.
Allowance for transportation of the deceased
Benefits
The grant is means-tested. This means that the grant will be reduced in relation to your wealth, any insurance paid out as a result of the death, and any occupational pension etc. paid out in the month following the deceased’s death.
The deceased was under the age of 18 years
If the deceased was under the age of 18 years, the funeral grant is not means-tested. This means that you will be reimbursed for documented expenses in connection with the funeral up to an upper limit of NOK 28,677.
The rate applies from and including 1 January 2024.
A funeral grant may be granted to cover expenses related to burying a stillborn baby. There is no requirement regarding minimum duration of the pregnancy. The mother must be a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, or be living in Norway and be married, or be supported by a parent who is a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.
The deceased was over the age of 18 years
If the deceased was over the age of 18, wealth, marital status and income will be considered when calculating the amount of the funeral grant:
- Wealth as stated in the most recent tax return: If the tax return for the year before death has been prepared, it will be used in the calculation. If the tax return has not been prepared, we will use the tax return two years prior to the death.
- Marital status:
- If the deceased was single, we use net worth for the calculation.
- If the deceased was married or cohabiting with joint children, we use the couple's gross financial wealth in the calculation. Gross financial wealth includes e.g. cash, bank deposits, tradable shares, bonds, units in securities funds, other transferable securities and outstanding receivables such as loans.
- Death benefits paid by insurance company: These are payments to the estate of the deceased or to minor children. As long as it is the death that entitles the insurance payout, the sum is used in the calculation.
- Occupational pension/pension from parties other than the National Insurance Scheme paid to the deceased for the months following the death is taken into account.
- Payments from funeral funds, organizations, associations or similar that are paid due to death are taken into account.
You can receive up to a maximum sum of NOK 28,677.
The rate applies from and including 1 January 2024.
Example with rate that applies from 1 January 2024.
Example for single deceased:
Net wealth | NOK 1,000 |
Insurance | NOK 0 |
Occupational pension for the month after death | NOK 2,500 |
| Contribution from a funeral charity | NOK 1,700 |
| = Total wealth etc. | NOK 5,200 |
Calculation of maximum possible benefit after deduction of assets etc. | |
| Funeral grant | NOK 28,677 |
| - total wealth etc. of | NOK 5,200 |
= maximum possible grant
| NOK 23, 467 |
Example when the deceased was married or lived with their partner in a marriage-like relationship
| The couple's total financial wealth | NOK 30,000 |
Insurance | NOK 0 |
| Occupational pension paid for the months after the month of death | NOK 2,500 |
| Contribution from a funeral charity | NOK 1,700 |
| Total wealth etc. | NOK 34,200 |
- Deductible (fribeløp) | NOK 28,677 |
= Calculation basis | NOK 5,533 |
Calculation of maximum possible benefit after deduction of assets etc. | |
Funeral grant | NOK 28,677 |
- Calculation basis | NOK 5,533 |
Funeral grant for payment | NOK 23,134 |
In this chapter
The deadline for application is at the latest 6 months from the date of death. Exemption from this deadline may be granted in special cases.
The person who covers the funeral expenses is entitled to this grant and can apply for it.
You can apply digitally online or send a paper application to Nav by post. It is important that you fill in all the relevant fields in the application form and submit all the necessary documentation, so that your case can be processed promptly. You will be notified as you fill in the application if you need to provide documentation of any of the information you have provided.
If you are applying for reimbursement of funeral expenses, you must attach an itemised invoice for the funeral expenses.
If the deceased was over the age of 18 and single, you must attach
- a copy of the deceased’s last tax return or basis for tax from the last full year before their death
- a copy of an overview of insurance payouts, contributions towards funeral expenses from charities etc., and any pension payments from organisations other than Nav, i.e. occupational pensions
If the deceased was under the age of 18 years, funeral grant is paid out regardless of wealth.
If the deceased had a spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner, you must attach
- a copy of the deceased’s and their spouse’s (or spousal equivalent’s) last tax return or basis for tax from the last full year before the deceased’s death
- documentation of any pension payments from organisations other than Nav, i.e. occupational pensions
- documentation of insurance payouts or contributions towards funeral expenses from charities, etc.
You can contact Nav for more information and guidance, and/or help filling out the application form.
You will receive a written decision once your application has been processed.
Processing time for applications
The processing time is the time from when we receive your application until we have made a decision. Remember that we need all the necessary documentation to process your application.
| Case concerns | Expected case processing time |
|---|---|
| Application | 18 weeks |
| International application | 18 weeks |
Processing time for complaints and appeals
Have you received a decision from us that you think is wrong? You can complain to the Nav Unit that issued the decision. They will reassess your case. If they do not agree with your complaint, they will forward it to the Nav Appeals Management Unit.
| Case concerns | Expected case processing time |
|---|---|
Complaint to the Nav unit | 25 weeks |
Complaint to the Nav Appeals Management Unit | 12 weeks |
Appeals to the Nav Appeals Management Unit | 12 weeks |
Have you received a decision from us that you think is wrong? You can complain to the Nav Unit that issued the decision. They will reassess your case. If they do not agree with your complaint, they will forward it to the Nav Appeals Management Unit.
Complain about a decision
The decision will have information about how to proceed if you want to complain, where to send your complaint and the term of complaint. If you have questions about the decision, you can contact us.
Appeal a decision
If you disagree with the decision of your complaint from the the Nav Appeals Management Unit, you can, with some exceptions, appeal the decision. The deadline for appealing is stated in the decision.
Processing time for complaints and appeals
Have you received a decision from us that you think is wrong? You can complain to the Nav Unit that issued the decision. They will reassess your case. If they do not agree with your complaint, they will forward it to the Nav Appeals Management Unit.
| Case concerns | Expected case processing time |
|---|---|
Complaint to the Nav unit | 25 weeks |
Complaint to the Nav Appeals Management Unit | 12 weeks |
Appeals to the Nav Appeals Management Unit | 12 weeks |
You or the person who is covering the funeral expenses will receive a lump sum.
If you choose to grant authority to the funeral directors, they will receive the money.
Updated 11/12/2024
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