UK Funeral costs: From cash in bank or House sale?

[Crimpshrine]

Hi, I was left all of a relatives money and half a house in a will. I have paid the funeral costs and understand I can get these back from the estate but which part? Obviously I would prefer to claim it back from the house sale as it would mean I would share the cost with the other beneficiary.

The cash left wasn’t a large amount hence the preference to claim back in the house sale. I am in charge of the estate so is this possible? Many tha ks

Normally the funeral is paid from funds in the bank account.

Is there enough in the bank account to pay the costs? If so I would expect it to come from that, surely that’s why you were left it?

Did the other beneficiary of the will also get half of the relative's money? If not it seems a bit mean to want to split the cost of the funeral from the house sale proceeds - but you haven't said anything about your relationship to the deceased and to each other.

The other half of the house was left to a non family member. The house is worth quite a lot of money but the cash left was a small amount in comparison.

Generally funeral costs are first call on the estate so bank account

I think it’s a bit petty to quibble. Generally a funeral is considered a priority expense so will be paid for before any existing debts. Then existing debts need to be paid. Then any leftover goes to those who are due to inherit. There will be expenses associated with the house though. Insurance whilst waiting for a sale, maintenance, heating etc. I’d agree with the other person due to inherit that these are costs to be shared/ paid for by sale of house. It’s surprisingly expensive having to look after an rmpty building for a year.

It is a cost of the estate. So it comes out of the estate before monies are dispersed. It's not unusual to use money from deceased bank account to pay for the funeral or to pay you back. It's not petty. It's maths.

Normally bank accounts are frozen after death but the bank will release money to pay the funeral director from the bank account of the deceased. This expense is indisputable and I would have expected the funeral director to point this out to you. Maybe if you can produce the account to the bank they will reimburse you. Sorry if this info is out of date but it is definitely how I dealt with two family funerals a decade ago.