Compensation for funeral and monument expenses: legal grounds and application procedure
The right to compensation for funeral expenses is provided by Ukrainian legislation for certain categories of individuals. These include the deceased’s relatives, individuals who actually conducted the burial, or social protection authorities if the costs were not covered otherwise.
In which situations can compensation be granted?

In the event of the death of a pensioner or a person registered with the employment center;

At the expense of the Social Insurance Fund if the death occurred due to a workplace accident;

For military personnel and veterans, a separate compensation procedure applies;

If expenses were borne by third parties who have supporting documents;

Within the compensation limits established by the state.
What documents are required to receive compensation?
To receive compensation for funeral and monument installation expenses, a specific list of documents must be collected. The required documents may differ depending on the compensation source (Pension Fund, Social Protection, Local Budget, or Social Insurance Fund). Generally, the following should be prepared:
- Death certificate;
- Documents confirming the burial (receipts, acts);
- Application for compensation;
- Applicant’s passport and taxpayer identification number (TIN);
- Bank account details for fund transfer.
- For monument cost compensation, additional documents are submitted:
- Estimate documentation;
- Contract with the contractor;
- Photo of the installed monument (sometimes required by local authorities).
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How to apply for compensation for monument installation?
The procedure for compensation of monument expenses is more complex and depends on the category of the deceased (e.g., military personnel, combatant, victim of repression, etc.). In most cases, the process includes the following steps:
- Apply to the local self-government body or social protection authority at the place of residence;
- Submit the complete document package;
- Review of the application by the relevant commission;
- Decision on the amount of compensation;
- Funds transfer to the applicant or to the company that performed the works.
- The amount of compensation may be partial or full, depending on the status of the deceased and the regional budget.
ConclusionCompensation for funeral and monument installation expenses is an important social guarantee that requires strict compliance with procedures and proper documentation. To avoid denial or delays, it is advisable to seek assistance from a qualified lawyer who can help prepare the documentation, assess the legal grounds for compensation, and monitor deadlines for application review.