Suleymaniye Funeral Fund

Every step clear,
before you join.

Who can apply, what to prepare, and how payments and approval work: your guide from preparation to life after joining.

STEP 01

Who applies, and for whom?

Who can apply?

The right registration for your family.

Muslims living in England can apply. The older spouse submits a family application.

Aged 18–59

The applicant, their spouse and children under 18 can be included.

Aged 60 and over

Each person applies separately. Children aged 18 or over also need their own registration.

STEP 02

Have these ready before starting

Gather the following details to make applying easier. You can tick this checklist here.

STEP 03

Complete the application step by step

1

Personal and family details

The older spouse applies. Enter names, dates of birth and relationships accurately for everyone included.

2

Contact details and SMS verification

Verify your mobile with an SMS code. Carefully enter your email in both fields; your certificate is sent there.

3

Declarations and fund rules

Disclose health details fully and read the fund rules in the application form.

4

Joining donation and Direct Debit

Complete any age-based joining donation and set up Direct Debit for the annual contribution. Submitting the form alone does not complete every step.

5

Application assessment

The committee reviews applications within six weeks. Approved applicants receive a donor certificate by email.

STEP 04

One-off and annual donations

01 · WHEN YOU JOIN · ONCE

Joining donation

Applicants aged 40 and over pay an age-based joining donation once, at registration. This amount is not collected again each year.

Applicant ageOne-off donation
18–39£0
40–49£100
50–59£250
60+Calculated by age
One-off joining donation—

Aged 60 or over: £250 + (age − 59) × the application year’s annual donation. This calculator uses the £80 set for 2026; the annual donation is separate.

02 · EACH YEAR · IN JANUARY

Annual donation

£80 / year
Current amount set for 2026

The annual donation is determined after funeral costs and fund expenses are calculated at year end. The current amount is £80; it may change in later years as costs change.

Each year, registrations from 1 October to 31 January are exempt from the annual donation in the January within that period. The first annual payment is due on 15 January of the following year. Any age-based one-off joining donation remains separate; set up Direct Debit when applying.

The annual donation is collected once a year on 15 January, not monthly. The amount and date are notified by email and SMS before collection.

The annual donation is collected by Direct Debit. It is separate from the one-off joining donation.

Direct Debit payment protection

Direct Debit collections from your bank account are covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee. If a collection error occurs, such as a wrong amount or date, you can request a full and immediate refund from your bank. You can cancel your instruction through your bank; please also notify the fund team.

This protection covers the payment process; it does not guarantee funeral support from the fund.
STEP 05

Approval and waiting period

90days

The waiting period begins when the first payment reaches the fund. It is waived for accidental deaths. The submission date may differ from the date the first payment arrives.

Requests for assistance are assessed under the fund rules and available resources.

STEP 06

Your responsibilities after joining

  • Keep your certificate and donor number, and share them with someone you trust.
  • Report changes to your address, phone, bank, marital status and family promptly.
  • Remember that children aged 18 or over need to apply separately.
  • Monitor your Direct Debit and annual donation notices. A notice is sent before collection.
  • Once your portal account is enabled, download your current certificate as a PDF.
STEP 07

First steps after a death

You and your family

  • Report the death

    Call the 24-hour funeral helpline with the donor number and place of death.

  • Obtain the required certificate

    Obtain the green burial form for burial in England, or the death certificate for repatriation, from the Register Office. Our team guides you on what is needed.

  • Share wishes and family details

    Tell the team your burial or repatriation preference and provide requested identification.

  • Burial plot in England

    The family secures and pays for the burial plot in England.

The fund and our team

  • Guidance on the first steps

    We listen to the family, assess the support request and explain the process.

  • Islamic funeral preparation

    We arrange washing, shrouding and preparation of the deceased.

  • Burial and repatriation arrangements

    Within approved support, we arrange burial in England or repatriation to Türkiye / Northern Cyprus.

  • Remaining official arrangements

    We help with the required consular and transport documentation and support the family.

Speaking to the team before making arrangements or incurring costs helps the family understand what support may be available.

STEP 08

Frequently asked questions

When does registration take effect?

The committee assesses the application. The 90-day waiting period starts when the first payment reaches the fund. It is waived for accidental deaths.

Which destinations are supported?

New applications cover Türkiye and Northern Cyprus. Support for repatriation to Bulgaria continues for Bulgarian citizens registered before 10 November 2026; it is excluded for new applications from that date.

Are joining and annual donations the same?

The joining donation is a one-off age-based contribution. The annual donation is due each January, reflects the previous year’s costs and the fund’s needs, and may change.

Should I disclose a health condition?

Existing health conditions are assessed before approval. Provide complete and accurate information and contact the team about your circumstances.

What if my details change?

Notify the team promptly of changes to your address, contact, bank or family details. Children turning 18 need to apply separately.

Repatriation and accompanying travel

Understand the support provided for each destination.

Türkiye · Transport to the cemetery

The Funeral Fund helps arrange transport of the deceased to the cemetery in Türkiye. The family is responsible for arranging the burial plot.

Northern Cyprus · Ercan Airport

For repatriation to Northern Cyprus, we help transport the deceased as far as Ercan Airport.

Return ticket for one accompanying person

Support includes a return flight ticket for one person accompanying the deceased.

Requests for support are assessed under the fund rules and available resources.

For you and your family

Take a step today.

Have your details ready and work through the joining steps.