Yesterday on the BBC news programme, the availability of Funeral Payments for those on a low income was discussed. This is something many may have previously been unaware of.
If you are on a low income and require assistance to pay for the funeral, you may be eligible for this. There are various requirements, financial and otherwise, that must be fulfilled before the monies will be made available. For more information on this see https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
Families however, often can't obtain this assistance quickly enough to pay the deposit required by the funeral directors and there is a call to improve the application process.
Funerals are a costly business and can cause financial difficulties at a very emotional time. If an individual covers the costs themselves, they then may have to wait several months until the estate is in receipt of sufficient funds to be able to reimburse them.
Many individuals are unaware that the deceased's bank will often release a cheque made payable to the funeral director from the deceased's account to cover funeral costs. Most discovering this only once they have already incurred the cost themselves. Once the death has been registered with the bank, the executors can provide the bank with a copy of the funeral invoice and a cheque will be provided to cover the cost (made payable to the funeral director).
The above is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.
For help and advice on administering an estate please contact Susan Young on 01245 228146 or email youngs@gepp.co.uk
