Funeral Grant

TFH Slide 3

The following persons may claim a Funeral Grant:

  • The Executor or Administrator
  • The Legatee
  • The Next-of-Kin
  • The person(s) who paid the funeral expenses
  • The person(s) who undertake to pay
  • Other

IMPORTANT: A Funeral Grant must be claimed within one (1) year of the date of death.


The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Funeral Grant is payable on the death of:

  • a contributor or his/her spouse
  • persons who were in receipt of Old Age, Invalidity, Widows/Widowers, Disablement and Sugar Workers Pension (with the exception of the Special Anniversary Pensioners)
  • persons whose death resulted from employment injury or from one of the prescribed diseases


A Funeral Grant is payable if the deceased or his/her spouse had:

  • Made at least 26 weekly contributions in the 52 weeks immediately before the date of death, or
  • Made at least 52 weekly contributions in the 24 month period before date of death, or
  • Qualified to receive old age or invalidity pension at the date of death

Please note: In the case of Pensioners listed above, the qualifying conditions do not apply.


Application for Funeral Grant must be accompanied by:

  • Birth Certificate of the deceased
  • Birth Certificate of insured person where claim is not based on contributions of the deceased
  • Medical Certificate of the cause of death
  • Certificate of Burial after Registry
  • Death Certificate
  • National Insurance Registration Card (pink card) of the deceased, if he/she was not a pensioner
  • National Insurance Registration Card of the insured person, if other than the deceased
  • Any National Insurance Pension Order Book or cheque issued to deceased, if he/she was a pensioner and which has not been surrendered
  • Marriage Certificate, if claim is being made by the widow or widower
  • Funeral Home’s receipt or estimate
  • Documentary Proof of Grant of Probate or Letters of Administrator, if the Executor or Administrator is making claim

For further information about the NIS Funeral Grant, please contact:

NIS, Montego Bay Regional Office
3 Cottage Road
Montego Bay, St. James
Jamaica, W. I.

Phone 1: (876) 971-4193
Phone 2: (876) 940-4415

NIS, Hanover Parish Office
Shop #4, Uptown Shopping Centre
Mosely Drive, Lucea
Jamaica, W. I.

Phone: (876) 956-2255 / (876) 956-3218
Phone: (876) 956-3133 / (876) 956-9874

Website: www.mlss.gov.jm