In the majority of cases, a funeral is paid for out of the Estate of the person who has died. However, legally it is the person who arranges the funeral and signs the paperwork from the Funeral Director that is actually responsible for settling the funeral bills. Following the payment of the final bill, the costs are then recovered from the deceased’s Estate. After secured debts such as any mortgages are settled out of the Estate funds, settling funeral costs is given next priority.
If you are the one who formally arranges the funeral and there are no funds available in the Estate then you are still liable for these costs. Some people may be able to split these costs between other family members or loved ones, for example, if your parent has died, you may be able to share the funeral costs with any siblings that you might have. However, if this is not possible then you will still need to fund the costs yourself.
If you do not have all of the funds necessary in order to pay for a funeral then there is Government funding available for those with a low income and in receipt of certain benefits. For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/what-youll-get.
However, if you do not have any money in order to arrange a funeral, it may be necessary to request a Public Health Funeral from the deceased’s local authority. Every local authority throughout the UK has a statutory obligation to provide a funeral service for people who have died without the means to pay for a funeral, and where nobody is able or willing to pay the necessary funeral costs. These funeral services are basic, although practices vary regionally.
To ensure that your loved ones will not be lumbered with any costly funeral expenses on your behalf, Andrew Douglas Wills and Legal Services offer a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan. A Pre-Paid Funeral Plan guarantees that you will receive the funeral of your choice, pre-paid for by you, regardless of any rising costs between now and the time of your death. In this way, a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan can actually save you money on your funeral costs, which have been consistently rising for many years. At the difficult time when your loved ones will be grieving and coming to terms with your death, a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan can give you the peace of mind that your loved ones will not also have to bear the financial burden of paying your funeral costs.
Whether you live in Dunmow or the surrounding areas of Essex, contact Andrew Douglas Wills and Legal Services today to arrange your free initial consultation to discuss your Pre-Paid Funeral Plan.
