Father passed away, no contact

LittleMissMolly_2

Yes it's as simple as that.

Just state firmly (and repeatedly if necessary) that you are not prepared to take responsibility for registering your father's death or for arranging/ paying for his funeral.

For what it's worth I think you are making the right decision, and it's certainly what I would do in your shoes. x

getmore4less

Given the circumstances I would probably let them get on with it.
it can end up being a lot of work especially as you have to start from scratch re estate having no information at all.

If convenient like you live very local it may be worth doing a preliminary pass over any paperwork available to assess the viability of there being an estate worth administering.(if you do be careful you don't accept any responsibility unless sure).

If you don't the estate may end up on the Bona Vacantia list and/or a hier hunter may pick it up if they suspect there are assets.

rare cases of people that on the surface seem poor are hoarders.

It's been a long time so probably nothing personal you might want to preserve for yourself or other family members.

Frugal_gem

Thank you.

I think if I walk away, then I walk away from everything to be honest. Even if there is money or assets. He may have a will which could clear all that up I suppose.

I will make it clear that I'm not accepting any responsibility and leave it there.

Thank you all, this has made me think sensibly rather than emotionally which I needed.

thorsoak

If, as a child, a teenager and now an adult you have had no relationship with the person who fathered you - why should you now?

I'm another who says that in these circumstances you should walk away.

getmore4less

I would not look at it as walking away, more not walking in...

Frugal_gem

I think the shock of being contacted by a detective and having to leave work etc to deal with this threw me to be honest. This happened on Tuesday. Plus being contacted after that and other things going on had clouded my judgement.

I'm not looking forward to the phonecall with the detective, but I need to stick to my guns.

Frugal_gem

I agree getmore4less.

LittleMissMolly_2

getmore4less wrote: »

legal reference?

never heard that before.

Can't find anything in the Birth & deaths registration act which covers the rules of registering the death.


The OP is probably not on the list of eligible person that can register the death.

When you register a death (which anyone can do, provided that they have either the 'cause of death' paperwork from the deceased's GP/ the hospital where they died, or the coroner's letter/fax of authority), it isn't only the official Death Certificate which is generated.

Alongside the record in the register of BMDs (and the actual Death Certificate), a certificate of disposal is created and given to the informant. It's a bright green, slightly smaller than A4, 'one off' certificate that cannot be duplicated or replaced and without it no legal burial or cremation can take place. However it is a legal (and public health) requirement that bodies must be disposed of in a manner prescribed by law ... so the holder of that certificate therefore becomes responsible for disposing of the body. Once it has been issued to someone, the Registrar will not un-issue it or take it back and issue it to anyone else (such as the local health authority or local council).

In the funeral profession we refer to it as the 'Dis Certificate' ... and when it is passed to us we are entering into a contract with the person doing so, to the effect that they will pay us for disposing of the deceased on their behalf. Of course no-one needs to use a Funeral Director - they can arrange and pay for a funeral directly with the cemetery or crematorium, but they will need to pay the cemetery/crem up front before the cemetery/crem will accept the Dis.

I'm an FD This stuff is my bread and butter

candlelight_2013

Unless things have changed in recent years, not "anyone" can register a death.

To register a death when I was a Registrar, firstly wherever possible it should be a relative, if not, someone"present at the death" failing that someone dealing with the disposal of the body, and that could mean the local authority or the hospital if the person died in hospital. It couldn't be the next door neighbour unless he had one of these qualifications.

My apologies if this is incorrect and has changed since I retired.

As everyone has said please try to not become involved in the registration and funeral arrangements

Candlelightx

LittleMissMolly_2

candlelight_2013 wrote: »

Unless things have changed in recent years, not "anyone" can register a death.

To register a death when I was a Registrar, firstly wherever possible it should be a relative, if not, someone"present at the death" failing that someone dealing with the disposal of the body, and that could mean the local authority or the hospital if the person died in hospital. It couldn't be the next door neighbour unless he had one of these qualifications.

My apologies if this is incorrect and has changed since I retired.

As everyone has said please try to not become involved in the registration and funeral arrangements

Candlelightx

I have had cases where there has been no family and next door neighbours (who aren't executors) have stepped forward to register and arrange a funeral I also had one where the landlord of a long term tenant stepped forward, registered and paid for the funeral for a lady who's family stepped back because there was no money. There was another only last year, where a fairly well off gentleman passed away in a hotel, whilst on holiday, and no relatives could be found - a solicitor nominated by the coroner's office registered his death and arranged his funeral.

I think the general rule is that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the local authority not being lumbered with the funeral costs

Normally the 'cause of death' paperwork will always be handed to the nominated next of kin, but where there aren't any relatives or executors and someone else is prepared to step forward, they don't tend to get too pedantic about who registers these days. x