Refusing to pay funereal costs

Mickey666

RoadtoRootA said:

The modern way is eco funerals 

burry on private land in a biodegradable coffin

you just have to inform the council 

Yep, did that for the in-laws in their own garden, many years ago.  No permission needed just notification.  We did use a local funeral director though, just to deal with the bodies (though not strictly necessary I assume).  Under £500 as I recall.

Dr_Crypto said:

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. 

Agreed, but not because of the current Covid restrictions.  Our family have always considered funerals to be 'wretched' (good description, DrCrypto!) affairs and something to be quickly dealt with and then forgotten.  None of us wish to remember a time of sadness.  A few months later we arranged a 'gathering' of friends and family and it was a joyful affair with lots of photos, stories about the old times, and memories of happier times.  THAT is what we all wanted to remembe - the joy and happiness of someone's life, not their death.

Of course, such things are very personal and I know all that would not suit many people, which is fair enough.  The point is funerals need not be expensive and they certainly shouldn't be a burden on the living.

[Deleted User]

Doesn't having bodies in the garden affect the value of the house? I wouldn't buy a place I knew had the former owners buried in it.

Jonesy1977

GHolmesAdmin said:

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

I agree, not her liability and there are multiple simple cremation options.

Pollycat

OP

Can you please come back and confirm that you have passed the information to the lady about her not being under any obligation to pay for the funeral.

As said up-thread, she should not contact any funeral director or contract to pay for the funeral (unless it is what she wishes to do).

I ask because in your latest post on this thread you were talking about the lady looking into her financial options and comparing costs so she can choose the cheapest option.

Mickey666

[DELETED USER] said:

Doesn't having bodies in the garden affect the value of the house? I wouldn't buy a place I knew had the former owners buried in it.

To be fair, it wasn’t really a ‘garden’ as such, more a secluded corner in a few acres.  Anyway, it didn’t seem to be a problem when the property was sold.   Besides, although it is recommended to have graves marked on house deed, we didn’t bother because it’s not mandatory, nor is the need to mark a grave in any way, so it could be done in such a way that no one would ever know.  How many pets have been buried in your garden by previous owners?  Does it matter?
I know some people would not like the idea, and that’s fine, but it is an option and one that is far easier, simpler and cheaper than most people appreciate.

lincroft1710

[DELETED USER] said:

Doesn't having bodies in the garden affect the value of the house? I wouldn't buy a place I knew had the former owners buried in it.

Only if it is your potential purchaser's late lamented dog!

MalMonroe

[DELETED USER] said:

Doesn't having bodies in the garden affect the value of the house? I wouldn't buy a place I knew had the former owners buried in it.

Me either!! The very thought of it is sending shivers down my spine . .  no!

MalMonroe

Uriziel said:

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.

They were separated so yes, she can refuse to pay anything and she should hand back the contact details of funeral details that the hospital handed to her. Sounds to me like someone at the hospital will be receiving some reward for doing that. There are plenty of funeral directors in this country to choose from.

£7k is FAR too much for a funeral. I'd expect that to cover two funerals.

As someone else said, if there's no-one else, the hospital/council will arrange a simple funeral. And most councils have bereavement grants anyway so your friend doesn't have to pay one penny. It's sad that her ex has died in this way but it's really none of her business.

Mickey666

MalMonroe said:

[DELETED USER] said:

Doesn't having bodies in the garden affect the value of the house? I wouldn't buy a place I knew had the former owners buried in it.

Me either!! The very thought of it is sending shivers down my spine . .  no!

Fair enough, but why?  What do you think a body buried six feet down, possibly under a tree, is going to do to you?

Dr_Crypto

Not sure I’d like the idea of the previous owner being buried in the garden to be honest, but I guess if I never knew...
I guess even if burying like this (and I doubt there are more than a handful of such disposals each year) it is probably better to use undertakers to handle the body especially if the deceased died in hospital.