Funeral costs for next of kin

hb2

Poppyec said:

Do I need to put anything in writing and get her to sign it? They dont live together so not sure if that makes a difference for her accessing his flat etc.
Ty

 No, you don't need to do anything at all. As already suggested, a quick message saying that you have no wish to be involved can be sent if you want to but there is no obligation to do even that.

AnotherJoe

Poppyec said:

Do I need to put anything in writing and get her to sign it? They dont live together so not sure if that makes a difference for her accessing his flat etc.
Ty

No.  You've already had a template from another poster to use which you could send via text message email or just handwrite and drop through the letter box.

You have ZERO legal duty to pay for the funeral. Neither does she. So you dont need to get anyone to sign anything,  if someone else wants to pay thats their lookout.

But it would seem to be common courtesy, however horrible your dad was, to help out his gf, she's not your dad, and I'm sure she'd like to be able to get on without wondering if a relative will suddenly pop up and start interfering, so your message to her will let her get on with it and you to draw a line underneath it.

Poppyec

So an update to the situation. Spoke to the girlfriend... she doesnt want anything to do with it and is not in a fit mental state to do it. Apparently they havent been together for 4 years but remained friends and told the police she wanted to do it but has changed her mind. Now does anyone have any idea how/ who I need to speak to, to get it done through the council?
Ty

Mojisola

Poppyec said:

So an update to the situation. Spoke to the girlfriend... she doesnt want anything to do with it and is not in a fit mental state to do it. Apparently they havent been together for 4 years but remained friends and told the police she wanted to do it but has changed her mind. Now does anyone have any idea how/ who I need to speak to, to get it done through the council?

His council should have a Funeral Officer who deals with this.

macman

I was going to ask how the police could possibly know that he had no money and had not left a will?
Since your contact is already with the police, I would tell them that you and his g/f were both estranged from him and that they should contact the LA, who will arrange for a basic funeral and burial at public expense.
They will presumably have a way to obtain a death cert (normally done by the next of kin) in these circumstances. Nothing can proceed until that is done.

Silvertabby

Do you know where your father is now? If he is in a hospital mortuary, then tell them that you want the hospital to arrange the funeral, as you/ the estate have no funds.
I believe that unless a burial is requested on religious grounds, the default option is cremation.

Poppyec

I spoke to the police and they have advised I do nothing. My father had removed all his 6 children as next of kins and the only reason we were contacted is because of the girlfriend calling them to contact us. Hes still in the hospital mortuary and will be dealt with in due course  the girlfriend was full of lies as she was over 10 years ago when I last saw her. Thank you so much for all your advise and apologies if my reaction offends anyone but he really was the worst of the worst. Even the police officer I spoke to said she had met with him 3 times and totally understands why we would want nothing to do with him.
Take care all

Flugelhorn

many of us can understand - not all parents are wonderful. Sounds like the police / hospital etc all have it in hand. At least they did tell you - you could have been wondering in a few years what had happened to him.

Owain_Moneysaver

Poppyec said:

 Hes still in the hospital mortuary and will be dealt with in due course 

If he died in hospital the NHS are responsible for making the arrangements, not the local council.  NHS may arrange and pay for the funeral under s.46(1) of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 if there are no relatives or friends who are willing or able to do so. Most hospitals will have a bereavement services office you can contact through the hospital main switchboard or website. 
If it's the local council ask the main switchboard for public health funerals. 
Even though you may not want to take part in any funeral you might still wish to be kept informed of what happens.