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

Marcon

Pennylane said:

An executor cannot charge for their time though.

They can if they are specifically appointed on the basis they will be paid for their time (e.g. a professional executor such as a solicitor). 

Pennylane

Marcon said:

Pennylane said:

An executor cannot charge for their time though.

They can if they are specifically appointed on the basis they will be paid for their time (e.g. a professional executor such as a solicitor). 

I was assuming it was a family member. 

Alphatauri

If the executor is paid for their time they must comply with relevant Legislation e.g. GDPR. This does not apply to unpaid executors 

Connie

"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."

If the flowers have already been paid for out of the estate, as you say, they haven't cost you anything personally, so no, you shouldn't claim that as an expense.

Mojisola

Connie said:

"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."

If the flowers have already been paid for out of the estate, as you say, they haven't cost you anything personally, so no, you shouldn't claim that as an expense.

I didn't.

TBagpuss

pearl123 said:

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. 

Executors can only charge for their time if there is a chaging clause in the will, which if the executor is a professioanl and the will was properly drafted, there will be. 

A lay executor can't charge which it why it's common to leave a small legacy to your executors, ifthey are not otherwise beneficiaries, to recognise that being an executor can involve a fair amount of work.

If a lay executor instructs a solicitor to deal with the estate on their beahlf the cost of that can be paid from the estate. 

But you can claim expenses - e.g. stampls, cost of petrol for travelling (e.g. to check on the house) and so on.