The ZUS funeral allowance from 1 January 2026 is PLN 7,000 (previously PLN 4,000). It is granted to the person who covered the funeral costs - most often a family member. The amount depends on the date of death, not by the date the application is filed. The application (form Z-12) is submitted to ZUS, and in many cases the benefit can be assign directly to the funeral home. We will help you compile the documents - 660 950 600.
The funeral allowance is a benefit that genuinely eases the family's financial burden. We explain who is entitled to it, how much it is in 2026 and how to obtain it - step by step, without official jargon.
How much is the funeral allowance in 2026?
From 1 January 2026 the funeral allowance is PLN 7,000. This is the first increase in over a decade - previously the amount was 4,000 PLN. A key detail: what counts is the date of death, not the date the application is submitted. If the person died on or before 31 December 2025, the allowance will be PLN 4,000, even if the application is filed in 2026. For deaths from 1 January 2026 the amount is PLN 7,000. From March 2026 the benefit may additionally be indexed if inflation exceeds the statutory threshold.
Who is entitled to the allowance?
The allowance is received by the person who covered the funeral costs. Most often this is a family member (spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, siblings). A family member is entitled to the full amount - regardless of the actual cost of the funeral. If the costs were covered by someone outside the family (e.g. a neighbour) or by an institution, the allowance is paid up to the amount of documented expenses, but no more than PLN 7,000.
What documents are needed?
- Funeral allowance application (form Z-12).
- Death certificate (abridged copy).
- Original invoices confirming the costs incurred (or a declaration of assignment).
- Supporting documents kinship with the deceased (e.g. ID card, marriage certificate).
- A certificate from the contribution payer (where required).
Assignment of the allowance - no upfront payment
This is the most important information for families worried about the expense. In many cases the allowance can be assign directly to our funeral home. This means that we settle the funeral up to the amount of the ZUS benefit, and the family does not have to lay out the full amount from their own money and wait for the payment. We prepare the full set of assignment documents for you. From 2026 ZUS pays the allowance faster - within 14 working days of a complete application being submitted (previously up to 30 days).
By when should the application be submitted?
The right to the allowance expires if the application is not submitted within 12 months from the date of death. So it is best not to postpone the formalities. ZUS usually pays the benefit within several days to about two weeks from the submission of a complete application.
Step by step
- Obtain death certificate at the USC registry office (we will help).
- Collect invoices or sign with us the assignment allowance.
- Fill in the Z-12 application - we can help with this.
- Submit the documents to ZUS (in person, by post or via PUE).
- Collect the payment or - in the case of an assignment - we settle the funeral directly.