The purpose of the funeral benefit is to help the organiser of a funeral to cover the expenses of a funeral. The amount of benefit is established by the Riigikogu separately for each financial year. In 2011 the rate of the funeral benefit is 191,74 euros.  

From 1-st of July in 2009, according to the changes of State Funeral Benefit Act, the funeral benefit will be payed only to the local municipality.

The local municipality is obliged to organise the funeral of the deceased who was unidentified or had no relatives.In this case the actual costs related to organising the funeral will be compensated for the local municipality, but not more than 191,74 euros.