Paying for a funeral, they want the money up-front!

Ardlife

This sounds a horrible question but money is so tight as I spent the last number of years full time carer for mum before she died so only income was benefits as well as future income until I can get back into employment.
We are still looking for will, savings etc and prefer on cost not to use solicitors where we can but funeral directors want full amount 1 working day before cremation. Now I can put that on credit card and by the looks of it as long as no excessive sols fees there should be enough in mum's accounts to pay that but not for a while with probate/admin to be sorted. Now sods law the payment date means the debt will be on the next statement and in 3 weeks interest will be started on this credit card debt.
I have read about possible government help so will check that out and a bank MAY release fund for funeral before probate/admin sorted but 2 questions, can I include incurred interest from this credit card debt as part of funeral expenses or (and here's the morality bit and legal bit) mum's accounts are still open (they wont stop them until death cert received) and I always withdrew her money card and pin (with her consent) so I could over next week or so withdraw that money and pay off the credit card therefore no charges. Now I know you shouldn't but what are the legal consequences?

[Deleted User]

I emptied one of my husbands accounts the night he died and I knew I shouldn`t but sod the consequences. I too was worried about expenses. It went into what was our joint account anyway and I was sole benefactor and sole executor so it was all above board and it was obvious that I had no intention to do anything untoward with the money

I think if I were you op then I would be much more careful, not being a spouse and not being able to find the will. I have found the actual banks to be pretty well understanding and quite quick. My dh had a small debt on his credit card when he died, the bank quickly wrote to me saying that the debt was frozen and there would be no charges added to it. Tbh I think it would pay you to be as open and honest as possible and you`ll be able to sleep without worrying

Re the funeral director, we actually got the bill and then got notification that they had the ashes, so I think this must be pretty standard procedure

Tuesday_Tenor

This sounds a bit odd.

Yes, you can START organising the funeral before you have the death certificate (e.g. slight delay for post mortem). But no funeral director would be invoicing you before you've even got the death certificate.

If you have already got the money on the credit card then you have acted a bit prematurely and made a bit of a mess for yourself. Can't you just pay the money back to the credit card and then do it all in the right order:
- Death cert to bank to close accounts.
- Present funeral directors invoice to bank, who will then pay FDs directly.

Mojisola

Ardlife wrote: »

a bank MAY release fund for funeral before probate/admin sorted

mum's accounts are still open

Banks very rarely wait for probate before paying funeral expenses. That can be a good few months after the death.

If the FD sends the invoice to the bank (or you take it to them), the bank should pay out directly to the FD without any trouble.

pollypenny

When we knew my father was dying I took an approximate amount for the funeral from his account, with the agreement of my sisters.

As it turns out, there was no need since banks regularly pay the funeral directors bill from the deceased' account quite promptly.

Edit to add: I was a signatory on his account as I managed his affairs and paid the care home.

Ardlife

Sorry just to clear up a few points, we finally got death cert on Thursday, dunno why hospital took 2 weeks to sort it something to do with coroner having to release. Then same time as collection we registered death and then to FD who mum used for dad's funeral. If we don't have to we will not use a solicitor and FD t&cs state the account to be paid in full no later than 1 working day prior to the funeral service. Now with easter coming up choice of dates was limited, either late next week or we were looking at 4 or maybe 5 weeks after original death.
As long as the bank can release the funeral money with death cert and FD bill and maybe credit card receipt in a cheque to me (because I would have paid it) then no problem, if not and they want probate or they have to send cheque to the FD then I will be incurring interest charges. (Roughly £50 a month).
I can't just go into the bank though, it's post office so all paperwork will have to be sent off.
Hindsight is wonderful thing and already I would have done things different but am on this road now.

Beancounter

Seems a little strange a FD asking for the full amount up front.

For my Dad's funeral last month we had to pay their upfront costs right away but the balance of £2k was invouiced about 2 weeks after the service. Seems rather disrespectful of them.

My Dad didn't leave a will but the bank released the funds from his accounts within a week. On the advice of my solicitor who is dealing with the estate I was able to use some of these funds for the funeral costs.

nwc389

The bank will pay the funeral bill but I don't think they will make the cheque to your credit card and if you have to send stuff away then you won't be able to speak to someone face to face to sort it out.
If the account is still active and you can get any other parties to agree I would use the card and pay with the cash .

Mojisola

Ardlife wrote: »

As long as the bank can release the funeral money with death cert and FD bill and maybe credit card receipt in a cheque to me (because I would have paid it) then no problem

Why are you planning to pay for the funeral with your credit card?

If the FD sends the invoice to the bank, the bank will pay it directly to the FD out of your mother's accounts.

Marktheshark

Name and shame ?
And then find a funeral director that abides by the trader rule of payment on satisfaction.

lurkylurky

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Depending on your circumstances you may qualify for a Funeral Payment. See here:

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