Funeral expenses/dilema?

marl · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:16

Here goes. A mate has asked me if i will sort out his funeral arrangements when the time come - assuming he goes first! (I hope i'm not tempting fate here!)

Anyway, he does have family i.e. brothers, but they are essentailly estranged and don't bother with each other. He also has quite a few Aunts, Uncles and cousins who rarely call. So with future in mind he's asking me if i can sort things out when the time comes.

Problems!

He has made no provision for funeral expenses other than open a very small account with credit union which i believe carries some life assurance to tune of 2K. But undertaker whom i phoned reckons cheapest funeral will be about 2.5K.

He's terrible with money, so its unlikely he'll be able to put any past to save.

When time comes, i'm sure, although estranged, his family will want to have their say regarding arrangements etc.

Ultimately i don't want to be out of pocket for a funeral for someone who is not a relative, and i don't want to get caught in the midde of a wrangle with his family!

Any suggestions regarding how he could get things sorted out whilst he still can???

Muban · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:20

Many funeral directors offer a pre-pay service. You select the type of funeral and services you want and pay beforehand (in a lump sum or in installments). This should provide the solution he is looking for. Just do a search for 'funeral pre pay' and you should get all the info you need

marl · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:26

Muban said:
Many funeral directors offer a pre-pay service. You select the type of funeral and services you want and pay beforehand (in a lump sum or in installments). This should provide the solution he is looking for. Just do a search for 'funeral pre pay' and you should get all the info you need

The problem is he is not good with money and has a few debts!

Do you have any idea what would happen if he died and no-one offered to pay for his funeral?

GreenMint · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:30

marl said:
The problem is he is not good with money and has a few debts!

Do you have any idea what would happen if he died and no-one offered to pay for his funeral?

Something quite cheap i'd imagine!

Tell him you'll pay for it once he gets 2.5k in the account, until then just make him promise not to die!

Muban · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:30

Councils will often arrange something. This is what is on http://www.direct.gov.uk
"If you can't get other help

If no one is able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral, the local council (or in some cases the health authority) may do so, but only where the funeral has not already been arranged. The local council may also make a claim on the deceased's estate to pay for the funeral."

doofer · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:31

I think he'd get just a basic burial in a mass grave type of thing, not too sure. You can put me out with the bin-bags when I go, I'll be dead and won't care

badbob · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:32

Bit cheeky dumping the cost on to you. If the family aren't interested just let the goverment cover it. They're not exactly going to throw his body in a ditch are they?

stoofa · 9 Oct 2007 at 11:16

It is a lot more complicated than you and your mate make it sound.
The cost of his funeral will need to be met by his "estate".
Unless specified in a will and/or other legal document you will not be an executor of his estate - that will fall to the closest family member.
So you would not easily be able to get your hands on his life assurance at all.

If his insurance doesn't cover the cost of his funeral then any other money in his estate will be used.

Remember that even if your mate names you as an executor of his estate in a will then family will get the opportunity to contest the will.

It is all rather complicated.