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advice about funeral costs

3 replies

rusty100 · 05/09/2013 13:39

My father died a couple of weeks ago. He was a despicable person, who I had no contact with for 50 years. He died alone and in penury.
The hospital where he died advertised for relatives, and I did (foolishly) contact them to see whether it was my father who was finally dead.
They want to know what to do with the body, but I am not interested, and neither are my brothers. Is there a legal obligation upon us to pay for anything?
I sound awful, people believe me if you knew the circumstances you would unanimously agree with me. If the hospital incinerator were big enough I have suggested they put the body in there, but I don't think they will.
Does anyone have any advice or knowledge of where I stand.

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 05/09/2013 15:01

No legal obligation on you so don't worry.

titchy · 05/09/2013 18:31

The council will deal with his body and affairs. You don't have to.

NulliusInBlurba · 05/09/2013 18:49

Coincidentally there was an article today in the Grauniad about the rising cost of funerals (article itself wasn't very interesting) but this very issue was debated in the comments underneath. I think the upshot was that you as a relative have no obligation to pay for the funeral and the local council will do a basic one, but then they get first dibs on the estate to cover their costs. Presumably in your situation you wouldn't be interested in inheriting anyway, so you would be able to get away with doing nothing.
Sorry for your loss is clearly not the appropriate thing to say here - what about sorry for the trouble this is causing you?

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