Cremation? I don't want to pay

Dird

So I read something a few days ago about funeral costs sky rocketing & people on the dole not being able to afford it. This then lead me to "pauper's funerals" where the state pays.

Even at the local cemetery if you just "wanted to be" cremated it costs like £600. Assuming you had savings when you died is there no way to state in your will or something that you don't want costs to come from your estate but instead want the government to flip the bill? What happens if your family refused to pay but weren't deemed poor enough for a "paupers funeral"? I'm guessing they couldn't just take the body & bury it in a field...

mjm3346

Family cannot be forced to pay it but it will come from the estate

Whoever pays for the funeral – family, friends or the council – can seek to recover the costs from the deceased person’s estate.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/paying-for-a-funeral

Dird

mjm3346 wrote: »

Family cannot be forced to pay it but it will come from the estate
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/paying-for-a-funeral

I guess it doesn't matter if you didn't want a funeral, only cremation?
Also that page says joint accounts aren't frozen so there could potentially be no estate (wife has access to everything)?

Gers

Dird wrote: »

I guess it doesn't matter if you didn't want a funeral, only cremation?
Also that page says joint accounts aren't frozen so there could potentially be no estate (wife has access to everything)?

Once you are deceased what happens to your body is totally outwith your control. You can express your wishes but those responsible for your 'disposal' can go against everything you asked for. Most won't out of respect but the possibility is always there.

The cost of your 'disposal' can come directly out of any estate assets. If your wife is your beneficiary then she'll be liable for payment.

Can't see the council paying for a paupers funeral / cremation when there are funds available.

antrobus

Dird wrote: »

I guess it doesn't matter if you didn't want a funeral, only cremation?
Also that page says joint accounts aren't frozen so there could potentially be no estate (wife has access to everything)?

It wouldn't matter if everything passed to the wife by right of survivorship leaving no estate. The LA would simply go to court and force the wife to cough up. It's s421a IA 1986.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/45/section/421A

poppasmurf_bewdley

Gers wrote: »

Once you are deceased what happens to your body is totally outwith your control. You can express your wishes but those responsible for your 'disposal' can go against everything you asked for. Most won't out of respect but the possibility is always there.

The cost of your 'disposal' can come directly out of any estate assets. If your wife is your beneficiary then she'll be liable for payment.

Can't see the council paying for a paupers funeral / cremation when there are funds available.

Not quite true. My ex-wife has left her body to a medical school, and after they have finished with it, they will cremate the remains free of charge.

Pollycat

Dird wrote: »

So I read something a few days ago about funeral costs sky rocketing & people on the dole not being able to afford it. This then lead me to "pauper's funerals" where the state pays.

Even at the local cemetery if you just "wanted to be" cremated it costs like £600. Assuming you had savings when you died is there no way to state in your will or something that you don't want costs to come from your estate but instead want the government to flip the bill? What happens if your family refused to pay but weren't deemed poor enough for a "paupers funeral"? I'm guessing they couldn't just take the body & bury it in a field...

So you want other taxpayters to fund your funeral because you don't want to pay?

I notice you are particularly verbal about funding asylum seekers - but when the boot is on the other foot.....

Dird wrote: »

Partially wrong, doesn't seem he has a car (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT3Y4KslTAw) although a previous upload of the video with an English description suggested he did.

Just because Germany chooses to accept everyone doesn't mean every EU country should. Also they accept around 50% of applications which is pretty crazy considering how many they receive.

Shocking attitude - "why should we accept asylum seekers but I want some other mug to pay for my funeral."

teddysmum

The cost of your funeral should come out of any estate left behind, before it is distributed to those inheriting.


If that money is given out first, then people can be taken to court to recoup that money, if they prove difficult about its return.


However,as some people unnecessarily fear, relatives who do not inherit or owe money to the deceased's estate , cannot be made to pay,so if there was a shortage, the State would step in to help.

PlymouthMaid

I like the idea of leaving body to science but there are two problems: firstly they may not take it so you do need plan B as your relatives will not know until after death that your lovely cadaver is not required, and secondly I am an organ donor and you cant do both.

Gers

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Not quite true. My ex-wife has left her body to a medical school, and after they have finished with it, they will cremate the remains free of charge.

It is really true! The next of kin of your ex-wife would have had to agree to this action.

If your next of kin and family are very much against the idea of you donating your body to the University of xxxx it may become difficult to proceed with the donation after your death

.

What is also true is that the disposal of remains after this is normally carried out FOC by the organisation.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Gers wrote: »

It is really true! The next of kin of your ex-wife would have had to agree to this action.

That's our two kids then, and they wouldn't dare disagree!