Refusing to pay funereal costs

Uriziel

I know someone who's husband passed away with coronavirus and now she is being expected to pay £7K in funereal fees.
They were separated and she cannot afford to pay as she is on a low income.
Can she refuse to pay the funereal fees? I am finding very little information on this online and apparently the hospital handed her contact details of a funereal details who is wanting to charge £7K.

Robin9

@Uriziel -  who signed the contract with the Funeral Director ?   

£7k must be a mistake -  think £3k

Funeral Fees come out of the estate of the deceased - .

[Deleted User]

Whoever arranged the funeral will be responsible for making payment.

bradders1983

Robin9 said:

@Uriziel -  who signed the contract with the Funeral Director ?   

£7k must be a mistake -  think £3k

Funeral Fees come out of the estate of the deceased - .

I assume nobody has signed a contract, and the hospital have just made a suggestion.

Some details for the OP here may help...

https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/what-is-a-paupers-funeral-public-health-funerals-explained

Uriziel

Robin9 said:

@Uriziel -  who signed the contract with the Funeral Director ?   

£7k must be a mistake -  think £3k

Funeral Fees come out of the estate of the deceased - .

There has not been any signed contract yet as she has to look into her financial options first before arranging a funereal.
The deceased has no estate and the 7K is not a mistake. I also see a lot lower prices online and assume they are trying to capitalize on the death. Is there a website where one can compare funereal directors so that she can choose the cheapest option?

bradders1983

Uriziel said:

Robin9 said:

@Uriziel -  who signed the contract with the Funeral Director ?   

£7k must be a mistake -  think £3k

Funeral Fees come out of the estate of the deceased - .

There has not been any signed contract yet as she has to look into her financial options first before arranging a funereal.
The deceased has no estate and the 7K is not a mistake. I also see a lot lower prices online and assume they are trying to capitalize on the death. Is there a website where one can compare funereal directors so that she can choose the cheapest option?

She was separated from the deceased, yes? Divorced? Stop her before she pays a penny, for crying out loud. Read the link I posted.

Robin9

Yes - stop her -    it's not her responsibility., much as she would like to give her husband a good send off,   And COVID limitations mean even simpler funerals.

I repeat £7k is ridiculous - handled my MIL arrangements last year for under £3k

Dr_Crypto

You can get a direct cremation for about £1,500. Burials are more expensive. 
She cannot be obliged to organise the funeral and if there is nobody the hospital/ council will arrange one but this will be a simple direct cremation without mourners. 
I'm not sure there is much point in having a ceremony at present as the COVID restrictions mean they are even more wretched than usual. She could have a direct cremation then a "celebration of life" for him later in 2021 when people may be able to meet more normally. 

GHolmesAdmin

I arranged a simple cremation a couple of years ago and it was £1300, but it is not her liability anyway.

Kim_kim

Uriziel said:

Robin9 said:

@Uriziel -  who signed the contract with the Funeral Director ?   

£7k must be a mistake -  think £3k

Funeral Fees come out of the estate of the deceased - .

There has not been any signed contract yet as she has to look into her financial options first before arranging a funereal.
The deceased has no estate and the 7K is not a mistake. I also see a lot lower prices online and assume they are trying to capitalize on the death. Is there a website where one can compare funereal directors so that she can choose the cheapest option?

If she arranged it she will have to pay.  Why would she think she can walk into the funeral directors, order x y & z, knowing their is no money in the estate to pay it?!
She needs to step away & allow the council to deal with him. 

RoadtoRootA

The modern way is eco funerals 

burry on private land in a biodegradable coffin

you just have to inform the council