Death & Funerals Guide
Law-Answers.com's help desk on death
This provides many useful link to help deal with the death of a loved one, relative or acquaintance. The death of a family member or close friend is a challenging time and often we are not prepared for the practical steps required that follow the event.
Here are some useful links and guides on what has to happen following a death.
See also Law-Answers.com's help desk page on Wills and Probate. and the LawDocs4All Probate Guide.
Funeral Costs: Guide
"The average funeral in 2017 costs £3,784. A funeral with a burial is slightly more expensive than a funeral with a cremation, with the average cost of each being £4,257 versus £3,311 respectively. The average cost has risen by 3% in 2017, slightly above inflation of 2.6% (the Consumer Price Index). These figures were calculated by the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, which compiles an annual index of costs.
The cost of a funeral varies depending on where in the UK it takes place, the circumstances of the death, and personal choices for the ceremony." Netlawman.co.uk
Funeral Plans- pros & cons: Guide
"The expenses of a funeral are the first unsecured debt to be repaid from the estate (in preference to gifts). However, the estate may not have enough money in it to afford the funeral, which could leave family members out of pocket. Because the funeral costs are prepaid when a funeral plan has been bought, there is no need for any individual person to pay on your estate’s behalf, and then have to wait to be repaid from the estate later.
In other words, a funeral plan gives you peace of mind that you will have the funeral you want, without burdening your loved ones." Netlawman.co.uk
Ways to reduce funeral costs: Guide
"If you are paying for the funeral, but you are not an executor, it is a good idea to check with an executor how much money there is in the estate. The cost will come from the residuary estate, which means that people nominated in the will to receive specific items and sums of money will receive those in full in preference to those people who simply receive the remainder.
If there isn’t enough money in the residuary estate, then the other gifts are usually reduced in value pro rata." Netlawman.co.uk
What to do when a friend or family member dies: Guide
"Within 5 days, the death should be registered at a Registry Office. Although you can apply for the documents at any office, to avoid delays it is best to apply to the local office in the area where the person died. If you apply elsewhere, the documents are first sent to the office local to the death, then forwarded to the office where you applied.
You can only register a death if you are one of the following:
- a relative
- someone present at the time of death
- someone in a position of authority in the place where the death occurred (such as the manager of a care home)
- the person arranging the funeral" Netlawman.co.uk
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