Losing a loved one is already difficult; dealing with SSS paperwork should not make it harder. The SSS Funeral Benefit is a cash benefit paid to the person who shouldered the funeral, burial, cremation, or related expenses of a deceased SSS member, permanent total disability pensioner, or retirement pensioner. This guide explains who may claim, how much may be received, what documents are required, how to file online or at an SSS branch, and what usually causes delays.

What Is the SSS Funeral Benefit?

The SSS Funeral Benefit is a one-time cash reimbursement meant to help pay funeral expenses. It is different from the SSS Death Benefit, which is paid to qualified beneficiaries such as the surviving spouse and dependent children.

Under the official SSS Funeral Benefit page, the benefit applies upon the death of an SSS member, including a permanently totally disabled member or retiree. Starting 20 October 2023, the amount is: (Social Security System)

Contributions of deceased member/pensioner	Funeral benefit amount
At least 36 monthly contributions up to the month of death	Variable amount from ₱20,000 to ₱60,000
At least 1 but less than 36 monthly contributions	Fixed amount of ₱12,000

The legal basis is Section 13-B of Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, which provides a funeral grant to help defray funeral expenses upon the death of a covered member, permanently totally disabled member, or retiree. (Social Security System)

Who Can Claim the SSS Funeral Benefit?

The basic rule is simple: the claimant must be the person who paid, or is treated by SSS as having paid, the funeral expenses.

SSS Circular No. 2023-009 sets the order of priority as follows:

Surviving legal spouse; or
Children, parents, or any other natural person who can prove payment, if:
- the surviving spouse did not pay;
- the surviving spouse cannot be located;
- the surviving spouse is already deceased; or
- the deceased member was single.

This is why SSS often asks for extra documents when the claimant is not the surviving spouse. For example, a child who paid the funeral bill may need a notarized waiver from the surviving spouse, or an affidavit explaining that the spouse did not pay or cannot be located. (Social Security System)

SSS Funeral Benefit Requirements

Basic Requirements

For most claims, prepare the following:

Requirement	Practical notes
Funeral Claim Application	Filled out online through My.SSS or submitted over the counter
Proof of SSS membership of the deceased	SS card, UMID, SSS records, employment record, payslip, company ID, or SSS certification showing the SS number
Death Certificate	PSA-issued, LCR-issued, or civil registry certification with official seal
Proof of funeral expense payment	Usually an Official Receipt in the claimant’s name and the deceased member’s name
Valid ID of claimant	Government-issued ID is safest
Disbursement account	Required for online filing through DAEM

SSS specifically lists acceptable proof of membership, death certificate requirements, and Official Receipt requirements on its Funeral Benefit page. (Social Security System)

If the Claimant Is the Surviving Legal Spouse

The surviving legal spouse may submit the following in place of an Official Receipt:

Marriage Certificate from the PSA, LCR/MCR, foreign vital statistics office with English translation if married abroad, NCIP for Indigenous Peoples, or Shari’a Circuit Clerk of Court for Muslim marriages; and
SSS online certification or affidavit stating that the spouse paid the funeral expenses. (Social Security System)

If the Claimant Is Not the Surviving Spouse

If the claimant is a child, parent, relative, or another person, SSS may require:

Official Receipt under the claimant’s name;
Proof that the funeral expense was for the deceased member;
Notarized waiver signed by the surviving spouse; or
Notarized affidavit by two disinterested persons stating that the spouse did not pay or cannot be located.

How to File an SSS Funeral Benefit Claim Online

Online filing is available for SSS member-claimants. Non-SSS member claimants must generally file over the counter at an SSS branch. (Social Security System)

Log in to your My.SSS account.
Go to Benefits and choose Funeral Claim.
Enter the deceased member’s:
- SS Number or CRN;
- full name;
- date of birth;
- date of death; and
- amount of funeral expenses.
Enter your relationship to the deceased.
Select your approved disbursement account enrolled through DAEM.
Upload the required documents.
Read and confirm the certification.
Submit the claim and check your email for SSS updates.

SSS allows uploaded documents in image or PDF format, with a maximum file size of 2MB per document. (Social Security System)

How to File Over the Counter

File at an SSS branch if:

you are not an SSS member;
you cannot access My.SSS;
the system cannot validate the deceased member’s record;
the claim involves foreign documents;
there are conflicting claimants; or
SSS requires original documents for verification.

Bring originals and photocopies. For notarized waivers or affidavits, make sure the document is properly notarized and the names match the IDs and civil registry documents.

How Much Will SSS Pay?

For members with at least 36 contributions, SSS Circular No. 2023-009 uses this formula:

₱20,000 + (0.5% × number of paid contributions × Average Monthly Salary Credit), not exceeding ₱60,000

However, the benefit is still treated as reimbursement. If the proven funeral expense is lower than the computed amount, SSS may pay only up to the proven expense. The circular states that funeral benefit is reimbursement of funeral expenses shown in the proof of payment, not exceeding the computed benefit due.

What Expenses Are Covered?

SSS recognizes funeral-related expenses such as:

embalming services;
burial transfer services and permits;
funeral services, including church service or equivalent religious service;
cremation or interment;
purchase or rental of coffin;
purchase or rental of niche, cemetery lot, memorial lot, or columbarium; and
payment for memorial or funeral insurance plan.

Filing Deadline

The SSS funeral claim must be filed within 10 years from the month of death of the member or pensioner.

Do not wait if documents are incomplete. It is usually better to start gathering PSA, LCR, funeral parlor, and notarized documents early because civil registry corrections and foreign documents can take time.

Special Situations

The Member Died Abroad

If the member died abroad, SSS may accept the death certificate issued by the vital statistics office or equivalent authority of the host country. If the document is not in English, SSS requires an official English translation from the DFA or Philippine Embassy. (Social Security System)

For documents executed abroad, check whether the issuing country is an Apostille Convention country. Philippine agencies commonly require foreign public documents to be apostilled or authenticated before use in the Philippines.

The Funeral Receipt Is Lost

If the original Official Receipt is unavailable, SSS may accept a certified true copy of the OR or a certification from the funeral parlor or memorial service showing payment details. (Social Security System)

The Deceased Was Single

If the deceased was single, SSS may require a CENOMAR or Certificate of No Marriage Record, especially when the claimant is a parent, child, sibling, or another person claiming priority. (Social Security System)

The Spouse Is Missing or Did Not Pay

If the surviving spouse did not pay or cannot be located, SSS may require a notarized affidavit attested by two disinterested persons. “Disinterested” means they should not be the claimant and should have no direct financial interest in the claim.

Common Reasons SSS Funeral Claims Are Delayed

Problem	Why it causes delay	What to do
Name mismatch	SSS, PSA, IDs, and receipts do not match	Prepare supporting IDs, affidavits, or corrected records
Receipt not in claimant’s name	SSS pays the person who defrayed expenses	Request proper certification from funeral provider
Missing spouse waiver	A child or relative files despite surviving spouse	Secure notarized waiver or affidavit
Unregistered death certificate	SSS needs official proof of death	Get LCR/PSA copy or acceptable substitute
Foreign document not translated	SSS requires English translation	Secure official translation through DFA/Embassy
No DAEM account	Online payment cannot be released	Enroll and wait for approval before filing online

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is entitled to claim the SSS funeral benefit?

The person who paid the funeral expenses may claim, subject to SSS priority rules. The surviving legal spouse has first priority, followed by children, parents, or another natural person who can prove payment.

Is the SSS funeral benefit the same as the SSS death benefit?

No. The funeral benefit reimburses funeral expenses. The death benefit is paid to qualified beneficiaries of the deceased member, such as the dependent spouse and dependent children.

How much is the SSS funeral benefit in the Philippines?

It is ₱12,000 if the deceased paid at least 1 but fewer than 36 contributions. It is ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 if the deceased paid at least 36 contributions, subject to SSS computation and proof of expenses.

Can I claim without an Official Receipt?

Possibly. SSS may accept substitutes such as a certified true copy of the OR, funeral parlor certification, or memorial plan certification, depending on the situation.

Can a child claim if the surviving spouse is alive?

Yes, but SSS may require proof that the child paid the funeral expenses plus a notarized waiver from the surviving spouse or an affidavit explaining that the spouse did not pay or cannot be located.

Can foreigners claim the SSS funeral benefit?

Yes, if the foreigner is the person who paid the funeral expenses and can submit acceptable identification and required documents. Foreign public documents may need English translation and apostille or consular authentication.

How long does SSS funeral benefit processing take?

Processing time varies. Straightforward online claims with complete documents may be faster, while claims involving foreign documents, missing receipts, spouse waivers, or record mismatches usually take longer.

Where is the SSS funeral benefit paid?

For online claims, SSS credits the benefit to the claimant’s UMID-ATM or approved DAEM-enrolled disbursement account. (Social Security System)

Key Takeaways

The SSS Funeral Benefit is paid to the person who shouldered the funeral expenses.
The current benefit is ₱12,000, or ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 for members with at least 36 contributions.
The surviving legal spouse has first priority, but children, parents, or others may claim with proper proof.
The most important documents are proof of SSS membership, death certificate, proof of payment, claimant ID, and disbursement account.
Claims must be filed within 10 years from the month of death.
Most delays come from name mismatches, missing receipts, foreign documents, and lack of spouse waiver or affidavit.