Funeral Expenses

[JuniperEccles]

I'm all my 90-year old friend has, poor woman (!), and she has taken out a pre-paid funeral plan which covers most things other than flowers and a bit-of-a-do afterwards. If her money isn't available immediately after her death and I have to pay for these items how could I claim it back?

[ubasses]

Yes, in all the funerals I have been to there has been one from the family and paid for by them. Under the circumstances, in this case, of their not being any family the Executor may be quite happy to pay for one out of the Estate. That is why Juniper needs to speak to him/her beforehand.

[Mamyalynne]

If the lady in question has requested the flowers and catering should beould paid for from her state, it should be in her will.

If not then whoever places an order for those items is responsible.

[Tilly2]

She has obviously discussed her plan with you, Juniper. What has she said about flowers and the 'do'.

[Mamyalynne]

Estate,sorry

[hc4361]

"Floral, or other tributes, are the responsibility of the person ordering them, and the cost of these is not claimable from the estate.

It may be possible to claim back other expenses that could be incurred in dealing with an estate before an administrator (the person responsible for dealing with the estate) is appointed, such as the costs of a funeral tea or a Wake; receipts must always be kept in order to make a claim but you should bear in mind that reimbursement is ultimately a matter for the administrator to agree. If the administrator considers that the costs are not reasonable, were not incurred for the benefit of the estate or cannot be justified, then they may not be reimbursed."

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/refer-a-deceased-persons-estate-to-the-treasury-solicitor

[Barmaid]

Ubasses, is as usual, on the money.

Technically, flowers and a wake are not a valid testamentary expense. Although if I were feeling clever I might try and argue that they come under "mourning expenses".

Yes Juniper should ask the executor, but realistically the executor should ask the residuary beneficiaries. MOST beneficiaries wouldnt have a problem with this, but some national charities are known to be particularly parsimonious.

Juniper runs the risk (if he/she is not the executor) of funding these expenses and then not having them paid from the estate.

I would suggest that Juniper's friend makes a short codicil bequeathing £** to JuniperEccles for the purposes of providing for flowers and a knees up (in addition to anything else JuniperEccles may be bequeathed).

[Barmaid]

Must type quicker - Mamy and HC weren't there when I started typing! Sorry.

[JuniperEccles]

Thank you, hc4361, you seem to be in my corner! Thanks for all your contributions - I think I'll be able to muddle through somehow.

[woofgang]

Juniper, its not a question of being “in your corner” or not. The question you have asked has a factual answer which will depend on if the lady has made a will, what the will says, and who is/are the executor(s)/beneficiaries....

[Mamyalynne]

Juniper, I don't think was 'out' of your corner - for my own part I would hate you to expend money on something and not be reimbursed. I'm sure your dear friend wouldn't want that either.

[Mamyalynne]

^^ I don't think anyone was 'out' of your corner ^^

[JuniperEccles]

Thanks, hc4361, for actually understanding my question!

Thank you for everyone else's input.