SPOTLIGHT ON: Who pays for my funeral when I die
Who pays for my funeral when I die?
A funeral is the legal debt of the estate and must therefore take priority above all other payments.
The law dictates that when someone passes away, their assets are frozen until a Grant of Representation (or at least a death certificate – depending on the type of asset and its value) can be produced. This means that families can be left in a difficult situation when it comes to paying for their loved one’s funeral.
In many cases, the person who has died will have accrued some savings for the purpose of paying for their funeral. This means that the family are able to take the funeral invoice directly into the deceased’s bank or building society and ask for the account to be paid directly to the funeral directors.
Alternatively, some people may have arranged for their funerals to be paid before their passing with a local funeral home or organisation, such as Pure Cremation. If this is the case, it is important to get in touch with the organisation to see what the pre-paid funeral arrangements cover and if there are any last-minute additions that remain payable.
As the loss of a loved one is always difficult, some people do not wish to attend to formalities like contacting banks or Solicitors until the funeral has been undertaken. For this reason, family members can pay for the funeral invoice themselves and will be entitled to claim the full amount back from the deceased’s funds when they are available.
If you have recently suffered the loss of a loved one and need assistance with the estate or settling their affairs, our team of expert Solicitors are familiar with every aspect of the process. We would be more than happy to assist you and offer a friendly, caring and supportive approach at such a difficult time. Please do get in touch for further information on 01530 510 666.
