Hi Zoflorabore That sounds like a tough situation, and I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your dad. Hopefully this will help ease your mind: legally speaking, funeral costs are supposed to come out of the estate of the person who has died. In cases like this, where there's not enough in the estate to cover everything, family and friends usually step in, but there's no legal obligation for them to do so. In cases where there is no family, or the family can't pay, the council will make the arrangements.
You say you feel guilty about not being able to contribute as much as others, but there’s no shame in that. Funerals are expensive and often unexpected, which is why there are a few different schemes and grants available to help families who are struggling with funeral costs. Perhaps you can help your mum apply? We have a round up of the help available here on the Beyond site: https://beyond.life/help-centre/funeral-costs/get-help-funeral-costs/ .
Depending on the situation, your mum might be eligible for the funeral expenses payment or bereavement support payment from the government. You can also use the Turn2Us grant tool to help her look for charitable grants that might apply. You could help your mum set up a crowdfunding page as well, so that more family and friends can contribute – all those small donations add up!
Remember, while you might not be able to contribute as much money as other family members, it doesn’t mean you aren’t helping her. Just being there to support your mum makes a huge difference.