Funeral arrangements for people with learning disabilities and no money

BlackHorse

I am trying to work out how my brother will be able to fund his funeral costs when the time comes. He has severe learning disabilities and is therefore on some benefits which pay for his residential care, clothes and limited outings that the care home arrange. There is little left at the end of each payment and the savings he originally had where stolen by a previous care home manager. Due to lack of evidence the money was never given back following a court case.
I was wondering how other families fund this? I also wonder if I take out a funeral plan in his name and pay for it with my credit card and then transfer it to a o% interest card (again in my name) and then he pays a small amount each month from his benefits to pay it off. This sounds incredibly mean but I can't afford to fund it myself but feel I should be planning for this event as he will be 60 this year. I would be grateful for any input / ideas you have, thanks.

elsien

If the organisation he is with aren't in a position to help with basic costs (some do, most don't) and he has no money and no family able to help then the local authority will provide a public health funeral. These are basic but do what's needed to send someone off with dignity. You can find more information about what his council will provide on their website.
If you yourself are on benefits and want to arrange it, you can look at funeral payments.
https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

While appreciating your concerns, I think you're on very dodgy ground legally asking your brother to pay into a plan he has no understanding of, probably doesn't have the capacity to agree to and won't directly benefit from, given that funerals are really for those left behind. He's better off using the money that he does have to live life well now, rather than for after he's gone.

pmlindyloo

Would you be eligible for a funeral payment?

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Funeral-Payment/What-is-a-Funeral-Payment#guide-content

To be honest, from what you say your brother would not be able to afford the repayments for a funeral plan.

If he is funded by the council/social services and only retains about £20 ish a week for personal spends then there is not a lot of 'wiggle' room.

Are you his nearest relative? Is there anyone else related to him who would be able to help?

Would he be eligible for any help from a charity? the Turn2us website has a grant section too.

BlackHorse

Thank you I will think about what you have both said. My brother does not have capacity to make this decision. I suspect I will end up paying for it when the time comes unless I start to pay for a plan for him now. I tried looking on Mencap's site but there wasn't any info I guess I could see what his Social Worker has to say on the matter. The home are keen for families to make decisions about this prior to the event happening which I understand. Thanks for your input.

elsien

I used to work for mencap in residential care. We used to have a "funeral form" but that was more from the point of view of religious vs non religious ceremony, preferred music, having a funeral service that was relevant to the person and their wishes rather than about payment plans.
Could your brother's place be asking something similar?

Torry_Quine

I think that you need to speak to his care home about what usually happens in these situations as they must have come across it before. Remember if you arrange the funeral you are liable to pay.

konark

I am trying to work out how my brother will be able to fund his funeral costs when the time comes.

If he has no assets when he dies the Local Authority will pay for a simple funeral.

Yorkshireman99

BlackHorse wrote: »

I am trying to work out how my brother will be able to fund his funeral costs when the time comes. He has severe learning disabilities and is therefore on some benefits which pay for his residential care, clothes and limited outings that the care home arrange. There is little left at the end of each payment and the savings he originally had where stolen by a previous care home manager. Due to lack of evidence the money was never given back following a court case.
I was wondering how other families fund this? I also wonder if I take out a funeral plan in his name and pay for it with my credit card and then transfer it to a o% interest card (again in my name) and then he pays a small amount each month from his benefits to pay it off. This sounds incredibly mean but I can't afford to fund it myself but feel I should be planning for this event as he will be 60 this year. I would be grateful for any input / ideas you have, thanks.

The law is very clear. Funeral costs are only payable from the estate of the deceased. The family are not liable unless they arrange the funeral. The local authority or the hospital where the person died have to pay. Don't worry about it or put yourself in debt to pay.