Who Pays For A Funeral And Other Costs?

[puternut]

The scenario is as follows.

Friend of ours - aged 83 - has asked to deal with her business when she dies. We are not relatives. Just friends. She does have a living daughter but they have not spoken in a number of years and seem to have disowned each other.

She has no real assets (i.e. property or shares) And to quote her the most valuable thing she owns is a 10-year old car. She has NOT left a will.

Financially she has a bank account and a credit card. Her sole income is state pension and benefits. As far as I am aware the bank is in credit and there is a small amount owing on the card (but dont quote me - she is rather canny with her money and does seem to go on a lot of holidays). She also has 2 whole life insurances paying out £1700 (£2000 if we use a designated / expensive funeral group).

If - and I suspect it will be bearing in mind todays prices - the funeral costs are not covered, who makes up the difference? What she owes such an amount on her credit card which together with her other bills (electric, phone etc.) is not covered by her assets?

Will we be liable in any way for either of these as we are doing this but only as a favour and can ill afford any expense on her account? I am only asking as I feel there maybe a shortfall but hope I am proved wrong.

Any advice appreciated

[murraymints]

there are funeral grants for such situations from DWP ...it will pay for a basic funeral plan..you have no financial liability

[Maydup]

You will not be liable for any costs as a result of looking after her affairs although you might feel obliged! But worse than that is the potential for conflict with the daughter. Get your friend to write a will now and ask you to be the executor, otherwise you will have no right to manage anything when the tome comes.

[Old_Geezer]

There was a tv prog on this recently. The authorities paid but went through the house /estate looking for anything valuable to offset whatever cost they could. I suspect anyone who wishes could offer to pick up the tab.

[Old_Geezer]

That said, there was no disowned daughter in that case, but I'd suspect that'd not change much.

[RATTER15]

Unless DWP pay up, the responsibility will fall on whoever signs the contract at the funeral parlor

[bhg481]

Just be careful - people can get greedy when there's money up for grabs. The daughter will pop out of the woodwork when her mum dies and might, if you've made all the arrangements without written consent, start to demand that you pay for things. You will have made the arrangements with the funeral director, so you will be responsible.

[ummmm]

Like Ratter says...if you start arranging the funeral then the cost comes down to you.

If/when the lady dies contact the council straight away.

[Old_Geezer]

Fair comment. Don't volunteer if you don't want the tab. Leave it to the authorities and simply turn up to pay respects at the funeral.

[jennyjoan]

echo the sentiments of bhg - daughter will definitely turn up to see if there is any money over - be careful.

[ummmm]

Wouldn't she be entitled to it?

[jennyjoan]

Legally she would be entitled to it. Therefore a will needs to be made.

[bhg481]

Ummmm - the daughter would be entitled to any money from the estate but I'm making the point that, if there isn't enough money in the estate to cover the costs of the funeral arranged by Puternut, then the daughter will probably look to him fot the difference.

[puternut]

This my exact fear bhg481. Daughter will not take the responsibility if there is a shortfall but will jump at the chance of a profit.

I do not know the daughter, so I might be treating her unfairly, but get the feeling that the basis of their 'hostility' is that mother sold a present given by the daughter without her permission.

[bhg481]

Perhaps the safe option is for you to have a chat with your friend, tell her your concerns about her daughter and how you can't afford to make up any loss and then sort out one of those pre-payment funeral plans that lots of undertakers now offer. You can agree with her exactly what she wants and get her to pay for it now. Then, when she does die, the problem is all done and dusted.
In any case, unless she grants you power of attorney or makes you the executor of a will, you will have power to do anything with her estate.