Funeral grant

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. 

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 27,390.

The rate applies from and including 1 July 2023. From 1 January to and including 30 June 2023, the rate is NOK 26,999.

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 27,390.

The rate applies from and including 1 July 2023. From 1 January to and including 30 June 2023, the rate is NOK 26,999.

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.

The person who covers the funeral expenses is entitled to this grant and can apply for it.

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.

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. 

Apply for a funeral grant

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.