Who pays for funeral?
Discussion
Not sure where to put this, so feel free to shift it into a more relevant location.
An elderly relative died on Wednesday. She is my dad's (who is 85) cousin, so not sure what relation that is to me.
She was in her 90s and had lived in a sheltered accommodation council-owned flat in London for the last 10-15 years. She had no surviving relatives (other than my dad),
My dad used to go up to London fairly regularly (once a month or so) to visit her and help her with stuff, such as opening a bank account, moving her stuff into the flat, dealing with the council etc. but she and he had a big falling out about 8 years ago and she said she never wanted to speak to him again (she was a bit mercurial and may have had slight dementia) and so they haven't spoken for years.
Now she has died, and the council warden at her flat has contacted my dad as he is listed as next of kin, and are asking him what he wants to do re: funeral arrangements and emptying the flat.
She has no money to speak of, no house, and the furniture and belongings are worth sweet FA, so her estate is not going to be able to pay. My dad is panicking that he is going to be responsible for a whole heap of funeral costs from the council that he can't afford.
Is he right? Or is there some sort of state facility that does this sort of thing?
An elderly relative died on Wednesday. She is my dad's (who is 85) cousin, so not sure what relation that is to me.
She was in her 90s and had lived in a sheltered accommodation council-owned flat in London for the last 10-15 years. She had no surviving relatives (other than my dad),
My dad used to go up to London fairly regularly (once a month or so) to visit her and help her with stuff, such as opening a bank account, moving her stuff into the flat, dealing with the council etc. but she and he had a big falling out about 8 years ago and she said she never wanted to speak to him again (she was a bit mercurial and may have had slight dementia) and so they haven't spoken for years.
Now she has died, and the council warden at her flat has contacted my dad as he is listed as next of kin, and are asking him what he wants to do re: funeral arrangements and emptying the flat.
She has no money to speak of, no house, and the furniture and belongings are worth sweet FA, so her estate is not going to be able to pay. My dad is panicking that he is going to be responsible for a whole heap of funeral costs from the council that he can't afford.
Is he right? Or is there some sort of state facility that does this sort of thing?
This is from Marie Curie:
The Money Advice Service has some useful advice on ways of reducing funeral costs. It’s worth noting that it’s not always cheaper to do things yourself. Other things to consider include:
A funeral director may agree to accept payment by instalments.
There are a few charities that will help with funeral expenses, such as Child Funeral Charity .
If the person died in hospital (England and Wales, Northern Ireland) contact the bereavement service or equivalent at the hospital to arrange a public health funeral.This is a basic but respectful cremation service that the hospital (or local council, below) must provide if there is no-one available to pay for the funeral.
If the person died at home or elsewhere (and in hospital in Scotland)contact the bereavement service at the local council to arrange a public health funeral.
The British Gas Energy Trust sometimes offers payments for people who having trouble paying outstanding funeral expenses. You can apply for this grant on its website.
The Money Advice Service has some useful advice on ways of reducing funeral costs. It’s worth noting that it’s not always cheaper to do things yourself. Other things to consider include:
A funeral director may agree to accept payment by instalments.
There are a few charities that will help with funeral expenses, such as Child Funeral Charity .
If the person died in hospital (England and Wales, Northern Ireland) contact the bereavement service or equivalent at the hospital to arrange a public health funeral.This is a basic but respectful cremation service that the hospital (or local council, below) must provide if there is no-one available to pay for the funeral.
If the person died at home or elsewhere (and in hospital in Scotland)contact the bereavement service at the local council to arrange a public health funeral.
The British Gas Energy Trust sometimes offers payments for people who having trouble paying outstanding funeral expenses. You can apply for this grant on its website.
Edited by eybic on Friday 12th August 16:10
eybic said:
This is from Marie Curie:
The Money Advice Service has some useful advice on ways of reducing funeral costs. It’s worth noting that it’s not always cheaper to do things yourself. Other things to consider include:
A funeral director may agree to accept payment by instalments.
There are a few charities that will help with funeral expenses, such as Child Funeral Charity .
If the person died in hospital (England and Wales, Northern Ireland) contact the bereavement service or equivalent at the hospital to arrange a public health funeral.This is a basic but respectful cremation service that the hospital (or local council, below) must provide if there is no-one available to pay for the funeral.
If the person died at home or elsewhere (and in hospital in Scotland)contact the bereavement service at the local council to arrange a public health funeral.
The British Gas Energy Trust sometimes offers payments for people who having trouble paying outstanding funeral expenses. You can apply for this grant on its website.
That's great, thanks for that link. The Money Advice Service has some useful advice on ways of reducing funeral costs. It’s worth noting that it’s not always cheaper to do things yourself. Other things to consider include:
A funeral director may agree to accept payment by instalments.
There are a few charities that will help with funeral expenses, such as Child Funeral Charity .
If the person died in hospital (England and Wales, Northern Ireland) contact the bereavement service or equivalent at the hospital to arrange a public health funeral.This is a basic but respectful cremation service that the hospital (or local council, below) must provide if there is no-one available to pay for the funeral.
If the person died at home or elsewhere (and in hospital in Scotland)contact the bereavement service at the local council to arrange a public health funeral.
The British Gas Energy Trust sometimes offers payments for people who having trouble paying outstanding funeral expenses. You can apply for this grant on its website.
Edited by eybic on Friday 12th August 16:10
I did some googling and couldn't find anything relevant
eybic said:
The British Gas Energy Trust sometimes offers payments for people who having trouble paying outstanding funeral expenses. You can apply for this grant on its website.
Am I the only one who found this funny - British Gas paying for a cremation. Wonder if they harness the energy 
boyse7en said:
Not sure where to put this, so feel free to shift it into a more relevant location.
An elderly relative died on Wednesday. She is my dad's (who is 85) cousin, so not sure what relation that is to me.
She was in her 90s and had lived in a sheltered accommodation council-owned flat in London for the last 10-15 years. She had no surviving relatives (other than my dad),
My dad used to go up to London fairly regularly (once a month or so) to visit her and help her with stuff, such as opening a bank account, moving her stuff into the flat, dealing with the council etc. but she and he had a big falling out about 8 years ago and she said she never wanted to speak to him again (she was a bit mercurial and may have had slight dementia) and so they haven't spoken for years.
Now she has died, and the council warden at her flat has contacted my dad as he is listed as next of kin, and are asking him what he wants to do re: funeral arrangements and emptying the flat.
She has no money to speak of, no house, and the furniture and belongings are worth sweet FA, so her estate is not going to be able to pay. My dad is panicking that he is going to be responsible for a whole heap of funeral costs from the council that he can't afford.
Is he right? Or is there some sort of state facility that does this sort of thing?
I think she is/was your second cousin.An elderly relative died on Wednesday. She is my dad's (who is 85) cousin, so not sure what relation that is to me.
She was in her 90s and had lived in a sheltered accommodation council-owned flat in London for the last 10-15 years. She had no surviving relatives (other than my dad),
My dad used to go up to London fairly regularly (once a month or so) to visit her and help her with stuff, such as opening a bank account, moving her stuff into the flat, dealing with the council etc. but she and he had a big falling out about 8 years ago and she said she never wanted to speak to him again (she was a bit mercurial and may have had slight dementia) and so they haven't spoken for years.
Now she has died, and the council warden at her flat has contacted my dad as he is listed as next of kin, and are asking him what he wants to do re: funeral arrangements and emptying the flat.
She has no money to speak of, no house, and the furniture and belongings are worth sweet FA, so her estate is not going to be able to pay. My dad is panicking that he is going to be responsible for a whole heap of funeral costs from the council that he can't afford.
Is he right? Or is there some sort of state facility that does this sort of thing?
The estate of the person who dies is responsible for paying for the funeral and other associated expenses.
If the deceased has inadequate funds, the funeral - very basic - will be paid for by one of the statutory authorities.
Normally a member of the family will step in and cough up, but if they choose not to, then so be it.
I was wrong, but only just.
Fort Jefferson was right, but only just.
Quote
"A relationship that is removed is one that exists in two different genealogical generations. Generation refers to the order of birth, a genealogical level. Your aunt and your mother may have been born 20 years apart, but they are still of the same generation. Your parent's first cousin is your first cousin once removed. The child of your first cousin is also your first cousin once removed: your grandparent is that child's great-grandparent. You can do the whole "removed" thing for every category of cousins -- second cousin once removed, and so on".
Fort Jefferson was right, but only just.
Quote
"A relationship that is removed is one that exists in two different genealogical generations. Generation refers to the order of birth, a genealogical level. Your aunt and your mother may have been born 20 years apart, but they are still of the same generation. Your parent's first cousin is your first cousin once removed. The child of your first cousin is also your first cousin once removed: your grandparent is that child's great-grandparent. You can do the whole "removed" thing for every category of cousins -- second cousin once removed, and so on".
Cpt Stirling said:
There is. it's means tested and the maximum allowable is £750 which won't cover the costs. Available from the DWP.
I think you will find that unless it has changed in the last four years that if they have paid some form of NI contributions the amount available is £2000 .konark said:
Just don't get involved, you and your father are not liable for anything. She will be given a decent funeral at the council's epense
Agreed.A few sighs at appropriate moments, say 'oh dear', from time to time, but keep your wallet well out of sight.
You could ask when the funeral is going to be, it is likely to be quite early in the morning and a very basic service.
I have considered leaving my body to medical science. In the London area the authorities will arrange for a cremation after they have completed all that they want to do with the body. They will give relatives 4 weeks notice of the cremation. There is no charge to the deceased's estate.
http://tinyurl.com/z3errzw
http://tinyurl.com/z3errzw
Condi said:
If your dad knew her well enough to go visit every once in a while, and she doesnt have anyone else in the world, why wouldnt you pay? For less than 2k or whatever a basic funeral costs it seems a bit disrespectful to just give it to the council to sort out.
Because he has no money to pay for it!The Moose said:
eybic said:
The British Gas Energy Trust sometimes offers payments for people who having trouble paying outstanding funeral expenses. You can apply for this grant on its website.
Am I the only one who found this funny - British Gas paying for a cremation. Wonder if they harness the energy Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff