When a company employee passes away, the benefits available to the surviving family members vary significantly depending on whether the cause of death was “non-work-related” or “work-related/commuting accident (labor accident).”
This article explains the funeral expenses and income security systems for surviving family members under health insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, organizing and clarifying the benefit amounts and conditions.
1. Comparison of Funeral Expense Benefits (Burial Allowance and Funeral Expense Allowance)
These are benefits paid to the person who conducted the funeral.
The name and amount differ depending on the insurance system to which the deceased belonged.
| Category | Program Name (Benefit Name) | Payment amount |
| Outside of business hours (Health Insurance) | Burial expenses (or burial costs) | Flat rate of 50,000 yen |
| Work-related (Workers’ Compensation Insurance) | Funeral expenses (or funeral benefits) | ¥315,000 + 30 days’ worth of the basic daily benefit amount ※If the amount above is less than 60 days’ worth of the basic daily benefit amount, 60 days’ worth will be paid. |
2. Income Support for Survivors (Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance)
In the event of death due to work-related causes, the Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance provides “Survivor’s Compensation Pension” and a “Lump-Sum Payment” to support the livelihood of the surviving family members.
■ Amount of Survivor’s Compensation Pension
The annual pension amount is determined based on the number of eligible survivors.
Additionally, a Survivor’s Special Payment (lump-sum payment) of 3 million yen is added to all cases.
- 1 person: 153 days’ worth of the basic daily benefit amount (175 days’ worth for a spouse aged 55 or older or with a disability)
- 2 persons: 201 days’ worth of the basic daily benefit amount
- 3 persons: 223 days’ worth of the basic daily benefit amount
- 4 or more persons: 245 days’ worth of the basic daily benefit amount
■ Eligible Recipients and Priority Order
Among surviving family members, a priority order for receiving benefits is established based on conditions such as the relationship to the deceased’s livelihood support, age, and disability status.
- Wife
- Child
- Parents
- Grandchild
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Husband
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- ※Items 7–10 refer to persons aged 55 or older but under 60 at the time of death.
Regarding the Transfer of Benefits System
If the primary beneficiary becomes ineligible (due to death, remarriage, etc.), the next eligible person becomes the new beneficiary.
3. Other Workers’ Compensation Insurance Benefit Programs
Programs are also available for situations requiring substantial funds or when there are no pension recipients.
- Lump-Sum Advance Payment of Survivor’s Compensation Pension
You may receive a one-time advance payment of your pension (choose between 200 to 1,000 days’ worth).
However, receiving this advance payment will suspend your pension payments for a specified period. - Survivor Compensation Lump Sum Payment
If there are no survivors eligible to receive the pension at the time of death, or if all eligible recipients become ineligible and the total amount paid to date is less than “1,000 days’ worth of the basic daily benefit amount,” the difference will be paid.
Summary: Workers’ Compensation Insurance Offers Extensive Coverage
Compared to the “burial allowance (¥50,000)” under health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance features a lump-sum payment of up to ¥3 million and substantial pensions based on the daily benefit amount. This provides exceptionally generous income protection.
