My Mum Died

[velocityofrudolph]

She died on Saturday, it all seems to have happened so fast. I spoke to her on Christmas Eve, she was in hospital Christmas Day, Intensive Care on Boxing Day, then on Saturday...

I can cope, I think, with most things, but what do we do about her funeral? She had no assets, we don't qualify for any benefits so we can't claim help from DWP, but we have no savings to pay for it.

I feel bad enough as it is, but this is keeping me awake at night, it's all I can think about. I don't know if the hospital bereavement service can help me, I only had a brief phone call from them yesterday, and I couldn't think of anything to ask them then.

She would be the person I could talk to about this sort of thing, so I feel even more lost than usual

[VeryThelma]

That is really sad sorry for your loss, I would try Help the Aged for advice I think they should be able to point you in the right direction

[HugeFurryKnittingBalls]

I'm very sorry for your loss, I've been there too.

The hospital should be able to give you advice about what you need to do next. If she has no estate then unfortunately her next of kin (you?) will be liable for funeral costs but there's no need to go overboard, a good funeral directors will guide you, there are payment schemes. I don't suppose she had any decent jewellery you could us as payment once probate has been done?

The hospital bereavement service should certainly be your first port of call.

Best luck, take care.

[HugeFurryKnittingBalls]

I'm very sorry for your loss, I've been there too.

The hospital should be able to give you advice about what you need to do next. If she has no estate then unfortunately her next of kin (you?) will be liable for funeral costs but there's no need to go overboard, a good funeral directors will guide you, there are payment schemes. I don't suppose she had any decent jewellery you could us as payment once probate has been done?

The hospital bereavement service should certainly be your first port of call.

Best luck, take care.

[Pinklaydee1302]

My mum in law seriously ill in hospital following a sudden illness of pneumonia. She was ok 2 days ago, needed Oxygen but otherwise ok but now she in ICU on a ventilator n we been told her organs are failing

Life's so unfair

[Charlene1]

Hi, sorry to hear about your mum - if there are no life insurance policies or anything then the hospital is responsible for arranging what is known as a "public health funeral" - same as a basic funeral i.e. they will pay for hearse, looking after her until the funeral date, basic flowers and burial / cremation fees- not sure about headstone though - if she died outside of a hospital then the local council authority will arrange it, but they can reclaim any costs from her bank account and/or sell belongings to cover as much as possible. If she has a will though stating certain items are to go to beneficiaries then they can't touch those. If you instruct a funeral director yourself though in the meantime then the council and the hospital won't pay, they will expect you to fund it yourself by any means necessary.