Re Funeral Expenses. Can I deduct the cost of flowers and stamps?

pearl123

Hi, Can I deduct  the cost of flowers at £95.00 and posting a large letter to a bank, as expenses? 
It seems reasonable to me. 

Brie

You mean from the estate?  Yes I think that's reasonable to charge the estate for anything associated with dealing with it. 

I heard long ago and far away about how some family members added a weekly charge for their time for dealing with calls, sorting things out.  Some people didn't think that was reasonable but if it's a solicitor or some other hired individual that's exactly what they would do.

Newly_retired

Surely only paid professional's time can be deductable? But legitimately incurred expenses, yes, for flowers, admin costs. Maybe travel costs if essential.

Brie

Newly_retired said:

Surely only paid professional's time can be deductable? 

Well I quite agree and so did the person effected by this.  The line was "but you're my sister and this is our dad's money! why would you want to profit it from this??"  Family was split for some time over this - inheritances seem to be very divisive at times.

pearl123

Brie said:

You mean from the estate?  Yes I think that's reasonable to charge the estate for anything associated with dealing with it. 

I heard long ago and far away about how some family members added a weekly charge for their time for dealing with calls, sorting things out.  Some people didn't think that was reasonable but if it's a solicitor or some other hired individual that's exactly what they would do.

Yes, from the estate. I'm now tempted to include the cost of my phone bills to the credit card company. 
Thank you for the replies. 

Keep_pedalling

Postage costs yes, but surely the flowers were provided in your personal capacity not as a function as the executor. 

fatbelly

pearl123 said:

Hi, Can I deduct  the cost of flowers at £95.00 and posting a large letter to a bank, as expenses? 
It seems reasonable to me. 

Yes, that seems fine to me

Mojisola

Keep_pedalling said:

Postage costs yes, but surely the flowers were provided in your personal capacity not as a function as the executor. 

We just had one big arrangement which went on top of the coffin and that was paid for out of the estate.

Personal contributions to a charity were given instead of individual flowers/wreaths.

Keep_pedalling

Mojisola said:

Keep_pedalling said:

Postage costs yes, but surely the flowers were provided in your personal capacity not as a function as the executor. 

We just had one big arrangement which went on top of the coffin and that was paid for out of the estate.

Personal contributions to a charity were given instead of individual flowers/wreaths.

Fair enough, that sounds totally reasonable.

pearl123

Keep_pedalling said:

Postage costs yes, but surely the flowers were provided in your personal capacity not as a function as the executor. 

I am the daughter and also the executor. My concern was that £95.00 seemed a lot of money. And the stamps seemed to small in value too mention. 

I've just found the following:
"A person may deduct funeral costs and reasonable mourning expenses.
"You may also deduct the cost of a headstone or tombstone marking the site of the deceased’s grave.
These expenses may also include a reasonable amount to cover the cost of  flowers • refreshments provided for the mourners after the service • necessary expenses incurred by the executor or administrator in arranging the funeral."

Thank you everyone for your help.

Pennylane

An executor cannot charge for their time though.