The Meaning of Funeral Poverty : an exploratory study

A study commissioned by Marie Curie and conducted at the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, explored the concept of ‘funeral poverty’ and the potential value and feasibility of seeking an agreed definition of meaning. ‘Funeral poverty’ is a relatively recent construct emerging within growing awareness of problems in paying for funerals. The term has quickly become widely used but there is no definition of ‘funeral poverty’ or general agreement of meaning. This study initiated enquiry into how the term was being used, which elements were important, and what would be advantages and disadvantages of an agreed definition.