Does the estate have to pay funeral fees

newatc

Perhaps if the police continue to drag their feet, you could get your MP involved as it seems a clear case of a theft that needs to be investigated and acted upon. 

maman

One wonders how hot police are on someone driving or trying to sell a car that doesn't belong to them? OP only came on to ask an opinion on the funeral bill but it's interesting. Perhaps this person took the documents as well as the vehicles? Perhaps DVLA would be interested if they tried to change ownership? 🤔

Mickey666

Yes, I wondered about the documents as soon as vehicles were mentioned.
If the OP is upset about the FD not being paid immediately then there's no harm in paying them directly - ultimately it will all come out of the estate anyway.  I just feel it's a good way to maintain some pressure on the 'other party', but it shouldn't really be at the expense of the OP's peace of mind.
Keep the pressure up on the police though and don't let them kick this into touch.  From what has been said it sounds like a clear case of theft with a clear culprit - surely that's enough for the police to improve on their dismal clear-up stats?

Snorkels

maman said:

One wonders how hot police are on someone driving or trying to sell a car that doesn't belong to them? OP only came on to ask an opinion on the funeral bill but it's interesting. Perhaps this person took the documents as well as the vehicles? Perhaps DVLA would be interested if they tried to change ownership? 🤔

I have the documents for the vehicles. Contacted the DVLA they can't change them into my name as I am not in possession of the vehicles. 
Mostly plant vehicles JCB's tractors other agricultural equipment  some classic cars and a van. Scrapped for a fraction of their value I would think or parted out. A lot of the goods taken from the property have been recovered. The trailer accompanying the relative in the CCTV taking the larger vehicles was unbranded, probably gypsies. If that's the correct term.

Sea_Shell

Could it be that the relative owed money to some undesirables, and taking these vehicles, even for scrap, covered their payment?

If they've gone, physically, then it's unlikely that any cash equivalent will ever get "recovered" back into the estate.

Snorkels

Sea_Shell said:

Could it be that the relative owed money to some undesirables, and taking these vehicles, even for scrap, covered their payment?

If they've gone, physically, then it's unlikely that any cash equivalent will ever get "recovered" back into the estate.

Not without a civil case which will be expensive and not guaranteed to have the outcome I want. Also a massive hassle

Sea_Shell

Snorkels said:

Sea_Shell said:

Could it be that the relative owed money to some undesirables, and taking these vehicles, even for scrap, covered their payment?

If they've gone, physically, then it's unlikely that any cash equivalent will ever get "recovered" back into the estate.

Not without a civil case which will be expensive and not guaranteed to have the outcome I want. Also a massive hassle

In the circumstances, I'd settle the FD bill from the estate and move on.

You'll know at least you have done the right thing by the deceased.

Robin9

Agree with @Sea_Shell -    settle the bill and move on.
Keep your strength for the police investigation.

Pennylane

Snorkels - I am in a similar position regarding the thefts.  Items left to me in a will have all been removed from the deceased person’s home along with cash and other items. the Police say it is not a police matter but a civil one.  What is the point of writing a will when a family member can just walk in and help themselves?  The police say we cannot prove who took them but since he was the only one who locked the house and removed the key and we had to get a locksmith to break in I would have thought that was enough evidence. the Police say not.   

thepurplepixie

Was the funeral alot more expensive than the funeral you would have arranged?  If not I'd pay as you would have spent money from the estate on a funeral whoever arranged it.
The theft of £20k is another matter and I would pursue that.