Here is a breakdown by county of how much the State paid towards funerals last year

An estimated total of more than €5m was spent by the State in helping families bury their loved ones last year, according to 'snapshot' figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

A total of 2,881 payments were made last year to assist funerals and burials nationwide amounting to €5,457,828, according to the two departments.