Please Help . . . ?

[DebsyDoo]

Maybe Beunchico ?

Don't know if this is your field, but remember you are quite knowlegable on lots of "legal" type issues - if you or anyone else can help, would be much appreciated . . .

OH's mother passed away recently, we thought she had had an insurance policy - found out today, this is not the case.

Three siblings, none of whom have the finances to see to the cremation costs - what can we do ?

Are there any "social service" or "governmental funding" available to people in this situation ?

The cremation is supposed to be on Monday, but unless they can come up with at least the deposit (balance being due 21 days later) proceedings will be "postponed"

Also, how long could they postpone this for, as there does not appear to be much chance of tha situation improving in the immediate future.

Please, any help ???

[dotty.]

https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview

[Barmaid]

Contact your local Council benefits office and enquire about funeral funding from the social fund.

[murraymints]

dss can make payments for funerals...

[AlwaysConfused]

go to https://www.gov.uk/

it helped my friend a few months ago x

[DebsyDoo]

Thanx for your (very swift) answers !

From what I can make out, whether you can qualify for benefits depends on the financial standing of the people dealing with the matter & not of the deceased.

Unfortunately, as two of the three siblings are working & earning above the threshold to qualify - I don't think they will be able to get any help - or that's what it seems.

(They obviously do not take ito account the fact that we all have our own bills, debts & mortgages to pay !)

[Buenchico]

It looks like others have got here before me. (Incidentally the real legal experts around here include a judge, a barrister and a solicitor; i.e. New Judge, Barmaid and Jenna1978. I'm just an amateur!).

However the important thing is not to put any arrangements into place (e.g. by paying that deposit) as your local authority can't 'take over' any arrangements which are already in place.

Where nobody has the funds to pay for a funeral (or, indeed, where everyone simply refuses to pay) the local authority is obliged to arrange a basic funeral. They can then seek to recover their costs from the estate of the deceased person but when the estate has no value they must meet the costs in full.

That information supplements what Dotty's link tells you, but does not replace it. (i.e. you can either seek to pay for the funeral with some help from a Funeral Payment or you can follow my route. You should note, however, that Funeral Payments rarely come anywhere near to the full cost of a funeral, so you could still face a large bill if you follow that route).

Chris

[DebsyDoo]

Thank you so much, we will have to look into this.

The "powers that be" don't make it easy though do they !

[factor-fiction]

Is there a will, executors and an Estate with any assets? The Estate would normally pay. If there is no Estate then no-one is forced to pay- as others have said the state will have to pay if no-one is willing or able to pay. The undertakers should know all about how to arrange this

[dotty.]

i would also have a browse of this site:
http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?page=diy-funerals

but there is also the bereavement grant that everyone gets isn't there? that's based on NI contributions but i'm confused as to whether everyone can claim that like it always used to be or whether it has been taken away and replaced with the social fund one off payment. I think it still exists, am i right?

[woofgang]

I was paid a bereavement grant and also widows' allowance. I think it was based on my late husband's contributions but not means tested. Its not "intended" I think to cover funeral expenses but to support the widow during the transition period while money might be tight.

[factor-fiction]

There is a grant to a widow/widower in the event of a death of a husband or wife but I'm not aware of grants in other cases, so I'm not aware that any payment would be available in this case (assuming there is no widower as none is mentioned here).

[bednobs]

the other thing is, most funeral directors will take installments, if it can't be paid right away (let's face it, who has 2K + just lying around anyway?)
The problem is of course, that if the council have to arrange and pay for things, it probably wont be as you/she wanted it to be (for example, where is she now? If she's at the funeral directors, they may not use those ones, they may not do a cremation (although it seems likely i suppose) She will have a complete paupers funeral which may not be very nice, not presided over by religious person, no ceremony, no flowers etc etc)

[ojread2]

Bereavement grant qualifying requirements listed in the link

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/death_related_benefits/standard_bereavement_grant.html

[rockyracoon]

Oj, that's for Ireland by the looks of it, .ie

[rockyracoon]

I think local authorities do things differently, my friends dad died, her mum got a very good grant for his funeral, she didn't have to put anything to it, when an aunt died, social service paid the undertakers direct and the family had no input at all except for the date and time, viewings were not allowed, only one floral tribute in the hearse.

[joko]

did she leave them any money, stuff etc in a will?

i think they will expect this should be used for her funeral before it goes to the beneficiaries

[DebsyDoo]

A genuine thank you to all who have offered answers & advice.

It seems, however, that the bottom line as to whether you can get help with the costs - depends not on the financial situation of the deceased, but on the financial standing of the "offspring" (ie:Sons & daughters).

If any of them are working - regardless of what obligatory or outstanding commitments they may already have - (ie: mortgages, council tax, water rates & any loans) you are expected to be able to find the extra money to meet the (extortionate) charges to lay your loved one to rest.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT (GENUINELY) HAVE THE MONEY ???

[joko]

As has been said - you are not obliged to pay for it at all!

if you choose not to the state will pay - but it will be basic.

did your mother have absolutely nothing?
if she had money etc then they will expect to use that