Funeral allowance

• What?
• For whom?
• How much?
• When and how to apply?

What is a funeral allowance?

A funeral allowance is an amount we can pay upon request after the passing of a retired civil servant to compensate for the funeral costs.
If the deceased received a pension from the railways, HR Rail will receive, handle and pay the funeral allowance applications.

We deduct 0,5 % from the gross retirement pension. This entitles one to a funeral allowance.

The following pensions do not entitle one to a funeral allowance:

• Employee pensions
• Self-employed worker pensions
• Other public sector pensions (survivor's, indemnity or colonial pensions)

Exception: survivor's pensions we calculate on the basis of the pension of VRT staff or mandataries working for the province of East Flanders, do entitle one to a funeral allowance.

The deceased civil servant received his pension from another institution (e.g. Ethias, a province, a municipality, ...)? Please contact this institution to find out whether a funeral allowance is provided for.

Who is entitled to the funeral allowance?

The funeral allowance is first awarded to:

1. The spouse who was officially cohabiting with the deceased
2. The surviving spouse who was officially residing at another address, on the condition that he or she paid the funeral costs

If the deceased did not have a spouse, the funeral allowance can be applied for by:

1. A direct heir (child, grandchild, parent)
2. Any physical or moral person who paid the funeral expenses, on the condition that this person provides the necessary pieces of evidence
   
   

How much is the funeral allowance?

Funeral allowance for the spouse and direct heirs

The funeral allowance for the spouse and direct heirs corresponds to the last gross monthly amount of the deceased's retirement pension. This amount is legally limited to 3 631,01 EUR for the year 2026.

Funeral allowance for other heirs or persons

The funeral allowance for the other heirs or persons who paid the funeral costs corresponds to the actual costs. However, the funeral allowance is limited to the last gross monthly amount of the deceased's retirement pension. This amount is also legally limited to 3 631,01 EUR for the year 2026.

When and how do I apply for the funeral allowance?

As the spouse, you usually do not have to do anything. We will automatically send you a letter. All other persons should apply for the funeral allowance in order to receive it.

The deceased received a civil service pension?

Apply within ten years after the decease:

Apply for the funeral allowance here.

You should attach one of the following documents:

• A succession certificate issued by the collector at the registrar's office where the estate was registered;
  or
• A private document drawn up by a notary (regardless of whether or not he or she is responsible for the distribution of the estate) in which all heirs are mentioned;
  or
• A deed of inheritance drawn up by a notary

If there are several heirs, several children or grandchildren of the deceased, you have to authorize one heir by means of the form Powers of attorney to receive the funeral allowance in order to receive the funeral allowance. This authorization has to be signed by every mandator and a copy of the front of every mandator's identity card should be attached.

If you are not a direct heir but did pay the funeral costs, you have to attach a copy of the invoices of the funeral costs. These invoices should be made out in your name and should be signed for receipt by the suppliers.

Never send us the original invoices: you will need these for the inheritance declaration.

The deceased received a pension from the railways?

Please apply within the 12 months following the decease by means of the HR Rail application form. You can obtain this application form:

• By email to: socialevoordelen@hr-rail.be
• By phone at: 02 525 39 82

Please send your filled in application form, along with any requested documents, within 12 months following the decease:

• By email to: socialevoordelen@hr-rail.be
• By post to:
  HR Rail
  10-04 HR441 – Social advantages
  Frankrijkstraat 85
  1060 Brussels

You still have questions? Please email to socialevoordelen@hr-rail.be.

Call the number 02 525 39 82.

Never send us the original invoices: you will need these for the inheritance declaration.