What Are My Legal Obligations

[bluemoon1]

A close relative has passed away and I have been named as next of kin. I don't dispute that I am the closest relative, but I can count on one hand the number of times we have spoken in the last 30 years. Other relatives have had far more contact with the deceased and they and other people keep asking me what I'm doing about the funeral arrangements.
I would like to know if I am responsible for said funeral and if so my cheapest option.
I realise I may sound callous but not all people and families have a good relationship.

[woofgang]

You have no legal obligations whatsoever. None.

[ummmm]

As above....none

[Buenchico]

Nobody is ever obliged to arrange a funeral.

If nobody volunteers to take on the task, the local authority must arrange (and pay for) a basic funeral. However they can then seek to recover the money from the estate of the deceased person. (If they didn't leave anything of value the local authority has to foot the bill; they can't pass it on to anyone else).

If somebody does volunteer to arrange a funeral they can usually recover the money from the estate of the deceased (with such costs taking precedence over bequests left in a will or entitlements under the intestacy rules).

This link might be relevant:
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost

[Jackdaw33]

Chico is correct. There is a strict hierarchy concerning the distribution of funds left by the deceased. As he says, the undertakers are top of the list, next comes the tax man, and so it goes on...

[Barmaid]

Did the deceased leave a will? If so let the named executors deal. If not you may not want to get involved unless you can be sure that a) the estate is solvent and b) you are one of the beneficiaries.

You have no legal or moral obligation whatsoever.

[fiction-factory]

Did you mean "next of kin" or "executor", bluemoon1? If the former, who has named you?

[fiction-factory]

Sorry, having reread it I think you are just talking about the funeral and maybe the deceased didn't leave a will so family have assumed you are responsible for organising the funeral.