Last journey....

DUTR

A family member has sadly passed, the member had pre sorted their funeral arrangements and has a last testament statement.

Part of those arrangements that a motorised vehicle is used (the option to have horse drawn was there)
So the question is....
is it against the wishes to 'upgrade' from what is documented?

Keep_pedalling

An executor is not bound be deceased persons wishes regarding funeral arrangements, but any extra spent on the funeral will be at the expense of beneficiaries so unless they agree then no you can’t do it.

Artytarty

But why would you when they have made their choice and not gone for the horse drawn option?

kazwookie

I'd follow their choices.

Why do you want to change them?

DUTR

Artytarty wrote: »

But why would you when they have made their choice and not gone for the horse drawn option?

kazwookie wrote: »

I'd follow their choices.

Why do you want to change them?

You are both saying you, I am not the one opting for the extras,
My reluctance was for some of the same reasons expressed above and others.
I thank you both for the responses, as an external none attached thought .
:thumb:

Yorkshireman99

DUTR wrote: »

You are both saying you, I am not the one opting for the extras,
My reluctance was for some of the same reasons expressed above and others.
I thank you both for the responses, as an external none attached thought .
:thumb:

This comes up regularly. Remeber that an executor’s first duty is to protect estate funds and carry out the testator’s wishes. Whilst there are mixed views about the testators wishes re the funeral should, IMHO should be respected. It is their money not the relative’s.

Artytarty

Sorry, badly expressed.
Please substitute the word one or somebody.
Of course they must be a reason that seems good enough, guilt, grief, virtue signalling would all fit. Plenty more decent ones too I'm sure but ultimately the deceased won't benefit and the beneficiaries will lose out financially.

Keep_pedalling

Artytarty wrote: »

Sorry, badly expressed.
Please substitute the word one or somebody.
Of course they must be a reason that seems good enough, guilt, grief, virtue signalling would all fit. Plenty more decent ones too I'm sure but ultimately the deceased won't benefit and the beneficiaries will lose out financially.

If you did it then it could be you who lost out as the beneficiaries could challenge the decision, and you having to have compensate them for their loss.

Marcon

Not sure from your post who the executor(s) is(are), but I suggest you let whoever is asking for the 'upgrade' know that if they insist, they will be responsible for the extra costs incurred 'in line with the requirement to protect the funds for the benefit of beneficiaries'. Just make sure the insistent party is the one who contracts for the horse rather than the hearse - and put it in writing that it can't be charged to the estate.

Spelunthus

IMO There's only one person who has NO interest in funeral details - and that's the deceased. Funerals are for the living, not the dead. If the family or other interested parties want a specific kind of funeral then go for it, if there is money in the estate, and if the cost is not unreasonable and well justified, and if all parties are content. If there is no concensus, then I woud go for what was in the will, or funeral plan.