A Bit Of A Moan...

[Lie-in King]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so please accept my apologies if I'm in the wrong place.

I want to know what's wrong with people &/or society/the system.

My good friend passed away on Friday & I'm his next-of-kin & sole executor.

I've just spoken to the coroner & registrar & have been informed that each copy of the death certificate will cost £4. If I then decide that I need more, each further copy will cost £7. I don't mean to sound petty, but are they having a laugh?

It's a piece of paper & some ink, produced during office hours, therefore incurring no overtime - how can they justify those amounts?

I'm not balking at paying for them, I'm annoyed at what looks to me like making the most possible profit when something bad happens.

Oh, and please don't mention the vultures - they're circling even now - what makes people think that way? No respect for the life or death of the person, just "What can I get from it?" Despicable, revolting people.

Sorry for ranting & probably not thinking it through, but thank you for letting me do so. I have to go down and empty his kitchen now, so I might not be around to reply to any posts for a while.

[China Doll]

You're paying for someones time as well LK, which I know isn't much consolation.

Sounds like the bigger issue is the 'vultures' and it may be that it all seems even worse because of their behaviour. I've no idea why they do what they, I've an uncle who was cleary robbing my grandad blind when he had third party access to his account and he either can't see he's done wrong (I just can't believe he's taht thick) and/or refuses to admit it... My grandads still alive! (Well, he's alive in body - he has dementia though). The way I see it some people is just ar53holes ;o)

[Psybbo]

Oh lord, sorry you're having such a rough time, L-i-K, that's really horrible. I agree about the costs and the awful people out there who feel they're 'entitled'. Love and hugs, sibton xx

[DTCwordfan]

Sorry to hear about this; having to sort out family or friends' affairs and chattels is never easy as it triggers the memories all to easily......

Keep the chin up and push on through - I am sure you can find a roar or two at those scavenging birds....

[ChillDoubt]

It does seem exorbitant.

To digress a little but on the point of extra/excessive charges I too was miffed earlier this week with Royal Mail.
I bought some specs from the US via eBay. I expected a small import charge (£6) which wasn't a problem. What I didn't expect was a 'handling fee' of £8 from Royal Mail. Aren't they just doing their job by 'handling' it? P&P was paid, as were the import costs so why the handling charge? They didn't even deliver it, I had to collect it myself from the depot, they just left a card telling me it was there!
Bloody thieves!

[naomi24]

We dealt with this recently and those charges are correct. We sat in the registrar's office whilst she typed the information into her computer and then printed out the copies of the certificate. It does seem a lot of money for what it is. (We got four, by the way, and found that was sufficient. Some people who needed to see them actually accepted a copy emailed to them).

[Frank97]

I thought exactly the same when my Father passed away, the registrar asked my Mother how many copies she would like, tapped that number into the computer, then charged her £3 for each printed piece of A4 paper, a total rip-off IMO!

[Nibble]

Seems to be standard rate for the Registrar, but then again as it's a legal requirement I suppose that in effect, they could charge anything they want. But its good that your friend thought enough of you to know that you'll do everything correctly after their demise, and I'm sure you'll fulfill the requirements with your usual good grace & thoroughness.

Ensure you make time for yourself though, and don't get too frustrated with the legalities of the situation. All my best wishes for you.

[emmie]

been in your shoes and couldn't agree more, was truly shocked at the size of the legal bills, in fact i would go so far as to say gobsmacked.
As to vultures, seen this too sadly, it often finishes friendships, and relationships in families, not sure why they don't see that. I have no respect for someone who did this, the person concerned took all the money that should have been divided amongst siblings.. horrible.

[MadMen]

I can't think of the word I'm looking for, but I would say charging the next of kin for a death certificate is a bit insensitive... to say the least. It makes it feel like a business transaction.

Really sorry to hear of your loss LIK :-( xx

[albaqwerty]

So sorry for your loss.

I'd ask for say, 10 copies @ £4, if you think that only 7 will do, then that's ok, you'll have a few spare just in case.
I don't understand why any subsequent ones would be more expensive.

[Ric.ror]

I suspect that you would not feel so bad if you weren't in some kind of grief for your friend - you rant away all you want to xx

[naomi24]

They always seem to surface, Em - and it's usually the ones who haven't been near or by when the deceased was alive.

[emmie]

i won't give more details, but am truly horrified at what happened. My o/h had something similar happen to him, his SIL, a total b itch..

[shoota]

I had three copies of my mothers death certificate and ended up having one unused so I think that 10 is overkill.
They all came back after being viewed.

[mccfluff]

sorry about your loss LIK xx

[Mamyalynne]

Oh Maj, so sorry to read your news - a wise and trusted friend if they put you in charge.

The legalities are hard enough without the grasping vultures that emerge from the shadows after years and sometimes decades. Head up and ignore them and do as your friend has asked.

Also as you can see from replies here and mine too - you are not alone ((HUG))

Mamya

[emmie]

i think you have every right to moan, it's a sad loss, totally understand...

[marval]

I am sorry to hear about your friend LIK. I hope you are able to sort things soon. xx

[murraymints]

Then you have to pay all sorts of fees at crematorium....licences for this and that....I also had to pay gp fees for stuff to do with coming out to pronounce.....never seemed to end...

[mazie]

Sorry for your loss LiK. I won't mention the vultures, but we all have them xxx