Neighbour has died, how do i go about getting his life ins policy to pay funeral

designeditdesignedit

Hello - my elderly neighbour has died, he had no next of kin, didnt leave a will. lived ina rented property. Although I was his only friend I am no next of kin as he dodnt have any family but I am wonderig what to do next, he left a few letters from sunlife, looks like he had three policies (the oer 50 type ones) but as theyre dated 2014, 2016 and 2018 Imnot sure if theyre still active. 
If theyre not, or if sunlife wont give me any details, what happens wtth regards to his funeral. Its very sad but I thnk I would be the only person there as I was his only friend. 

GrubbyGirl_2

That's really sad but so nice that he had a kind friend like you.  It is the Local Authority (council) that you will need to contact.  They are responsible for arranging the funeral and they will be able to claim any insurances to cover that.

designeditdesignedit

Thanks , I will take the letters in to the council then

TELLIT01

As GrubbyGirl_2 says, the local council will handle everything, including searching for any potential next of kin, arranging a basic funeral etc.  Sadly, it's far from being an uncommon situation.

MyRealNameToo

Unfortunately it often turns out that there were relatives and they only come out of the woodwork after the passing. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/refer-a-deceased-persons-estate-to-the-treasury-solicitor

Assuming the estate is worth more than £500 then the Bona Vacantia division will publish the estate and "heir hunter" firms will look for relatives to try and claim a commission. If truly no one exists then the estate will go to the government. The link above has some advices on how to deal with matters.

flaneurs_lobster

MyRealNameToo said:

Assuming the estate is worth more than £500 then the Bona Vacantia division will publish the estate and "heir hunter" firms will look for relatives to try and claim a commission. 

Think that means "good holiday" in Polari.