How to ensure a burial takes place the way I want it to

Hootie19

I cannot afford to make a Will. What happens to my possessions, such as they are, I really don’t care. But I want to know how I can make sure that my burial takes places as I wish.

Can I do this just by writing a letter “to whom it may concern” and asking that my wishes are carried out? If so, who would I lodge this with? Would I need a solicitor? (No good, as I can’t afford one.) Could I leave the letter with my GP? I wouldn’t really want to leave it with any of my family, as I don’t really want them knowing anything. (When I say family, I mean husband and adult children – I have no parents and no siblings)

How would my funeral be paid for? I have literally no money. No savings. I have a car, but going by sold items on Ebay, it’s only worth about £400, so can’t see that going far towards funeral costs.

The only thing I have of any value is my mother’s engagement ring (last valued at £2,500) and I would want to take that with me – I don’t want my family getting their hands on it. The family have no money either, so they wouldn’t be paying for it. Would “they” (authorities) force my husband to sell the house to release my share of it to pay for a funeral?


TIA

Brighton_belle

Hootie, writing my simple will cost nothing. There are loads of sights on line that you can down load the forms with simple instructions. I think MSE has info on this somewhere too.

You then just need a witness signature (how doesn't see what is written in it if you don't want to, and mustn't be a beneficiary.)
Leave the will in a sealed envelope with your paperwork but try and find someone significant to tell that it exists and where it is. That would need to be opened before your burial so your wishes could be know.

Hopefully others can answer your other questions.

go_cat

Could you use the money from the engagement ring and pre pay for your funeral. That way your family won't get the ring and any spare money you can spend on yourself.

Have you a close friend you can trust with your wishes?

Sally22_2

Have you looked at the Co Op funeral plans? I havent used them as I have my own will in my safe at home but been reading through their FAQ and anyone over 18 can buy one, you can specify your wishes.

More info here

http://www.co-operative.coop/funeralcare/Funeral-Plans/content/your-questions/

Hope this helps

Mojisola

Hootie19 wrote: »

The only thing I have of any value is my mother’s engagement ring (last valued at £2,500) and I would want to take that with me – I don’t want my family getting their hands on it. The family have no money either, so they wouldn’t be paying for it. Would “they” (authorities) force my husband to sell the house to release my share of it to pay for a funeral?

If your husband dies before you, won't you own the house?

I think I would sell the ring and buy a funeral plan as well. My parents bought plans with AgeUK and we were very pleased with how everything was handled when my Mum died earlier this year.

If you do write a homemade will but don't want your family (even your husband?) to have any involvement with it, then I would store it safely - https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate/depositing-documents-for-safe-keeping

If a will is left at home and is found by someone who doesn't agree with the contents, it's very easy for the will to be destroyed.

lika_86

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Hootie, writing my simple will cost nothing. There are loads of sights on line that you can down load the forms with simple instructions. I think MSE has info on this somewhere too.

You then just need a witness signature (how doesn't see what is written in it if you don't want to, and mustn't be a beneficiary.)
Leave the will in a sealed envelope with your paperwork but try and find someone significant to tell that it exists and where it is. That would need to be opened before your burial so your wishes could be know.

Hopefully others can answer your other questions.

TWO witnesses. If you decide to write your own be very careful that you know the requirements for a legal will otherwise it won't be valid. Also both witnesses have to be present at the same time to witness the signing by the testator. In my opinion it's always better to get a cheap will done by a solicitor (they needn't be expensive if few assets are involved) than to attempt it yourself and risk getting it wrong.

Mojisola

lika_86 wrote: »

TWO witnesses. If you decide to write your own be very careful that you know the requirements for a legal will otherwise it won't be valid. Also both witnesses have to be present at the same time to witness the signing by the testator. In my opinion it's always better to get a cheap will done by a solicitor (they needn't be expensive if few assets are involved) than to attempt it yourself and risk getting it wrong.

And the witnesses must not be beneficiaries or the spouses of beneficiaries.

lika_86

Mojisola wrote: »

And the witnesses must not be beneficiaries or the spouses of beneficiaries.

Or civil partners I believe now.

McKneff

You can buy a Will form at any Post Office or WH Smith. But follow it to the letter or it will be invalid.

Your ring forms part of your estate. Funeral costs have to be paid from your estate.

If you have assets, ie house, car, expensive ring, these will all be taken into account for any debt after you die.

Dunroamin

Unless you're paying for it yourself, I don't think that you can insist on a burial, which would be far more expensive than a cremation.

Mojisola

The local council will arrange a funeral and cremation for anyone who is destitute. There are grants that relations can apply for if they meet the benefit criteria.

If you die owning the ring, the council will sell it and recoup the cost of the funeral and anything remaining will be distributed according to your will or the intestacy rules.