Deprivation of funds?

[MummyOre]

My Dad has Dementia.
He is in a nursing home, self funding and we are in the process of selling his flat. His savings are going fast and he will run out of money, even when his flat is sold in about 2 years.

My sister and I have POA.
Issue is my Dad's funeral.

My sister wants to organise the funeral my Dad said he wanted (but isnt detailed in his Will). She wants to do tbis before his money runs out.
He wanted to be brought back to Ireland from London, purchase a grave and be buried with his family. This obviously is incredibly expensive.

I was sure I read somewhere (but now can't find it) that in circumstances like this, theres a limit on what can be spent on a pre-paid funeral.

As joint POA I'm concerned, I could be held responsible for deprivation of funds.

Any advice appreciated.

Where or how can I find information regarding funeral costs?

Many thanks.

No fixed financial limit for prepaid funeral. They may object if you go for something wildly extravagant such as a horse drawn hearse with six matching black horses but anything reasonable should be fine.

I agree that I think what you have planned is allowable. I'm not sure you can prepay for a funeral in Ireland in the same way you can in the UK. But you should be able to buy the burial plot.

Perhaps contact the local funeral directors in your dad's hometown for advice. They are usually extremely helpful.

For context, a funeral in Ireland will probably cost 5-6k plus the cost of the plot. Obviously repatriating the body and undertaker costs on this side would be extra.

Another option is to have a cremation here and take the ashes back to Ireland for burial.

Sorry for what you’re going through and for your Dad.
Just an idea, Once his savings are down to threshold (£23k?) then wouldn’t council take over funding his care so then there would be £23k left for funeral?

I agree and think a cremation and bringing the ashes back would be fine but my sisters are very much anti cremation.

I presumed he would pay the care fees until his money ran out. At £8k a month his life savings have been used up in a relatively short period of time.

Sorry you’re facing this I have been through it. Pre pay what you can now. Maybe the funeral company can advise. Also I do you have any written evidence of your dads wishes

Is repatriation of the deceased person considered reasonable?

It appears theres so little specific information regarding funerals when social care and self funding are involved.

Nothing was written down.
He wouldn't discuss his funeral or money.

Hindsight is a great thing but he should have put funeral expenses in someone else's name before he was formally diagnosed or we organised the POA.

I agree, pre pay what we can and if all his savings are gone we will have to cover the outstanding costs.