Money from bank account to pay for funeral

Uxb

I need to pay for the funeral (I'm the executor)
Supposedly its simple
Banks already informed, registered death cert and have given me valuations of accounts so that side is clear. Plenty of money in accounts to pay.

So I'm told by solicitor its easy - you go to the deceased's bank with your ID, the funeral bill, death cert as well, their letters to you as executor and ask them to write a cheque from the deceased's bank for the funeral costs and then I supply said cheque to Funeral director.

Anyone got any advise to make it easier/less hassle or had problems that I can try to avoid?
My options of banks to go to where the deceased had accounts are either NatWest or Santander.

Jenniefour

What your solicitor has said is correct. There's an inevitable amount of hassle as executor, it's an important role. I would call both banks at the relevant branches beforehand to find out whether it's easier with one rather than the other.

Keep_pedalling

Don’t just go in, make an appointment at a branch near to you.

Margot123

Make sure you arrange an appointment with the bank's specialist bereavement adviser. If you do as I did and just ask for a probate appointment, they will allocate anyone who is available, and they aren't always that knowledgeable.

They should issue the cheque there and then but make sure all the details are correctly written before you leave the bank.

Mojisola

Margot123 wrote: »

Make sure you arrange an appointment with the bank's specialist bereavement adviser.

Dad and I did this after Mum died.

We didn't need a cheque for the funeral but the adviser sorted out changing joint accounts to single ones, etc, on the spot with no problems or delays. It helps to have someone who has been trained and who specialises in this area.

Gers

My father’s bank paid the undertaker direct once presented with the invoice along with other relevant paperwork. It was the easiest part of the whole situation.

Uxb

Thank you for all your comments and advise.
I will let you know what happens....

Tom99

With NatWest I gave them the FD bill and NatWest paid it directly.

Uxb

Just a quick update.
Ringing the bank's Bereavement Centre about the process and specifically asking of the necessity to make an appointment got the hopelessly over optimistic reply that no - you can simply turn up with the paperwork and your ID.

All was sorted eventually at the branch and I now have the funeral cheque.