Ok, bit of a long one.
I have been estranged from my Father for some 13 years, although one of my brothers still saw him from time to time. He passed away last week and it is time to arrange his funeral. As far as we are aware he had nothing that any sensible person would have - no life insurance or pre-paid funeral plan etc. He split with a long term partner with whom he apparently had a relatively stable existence early in 2018.
The basic quoted costs from the funeral director that has been appointed are coming in at circa £3k. My brother is offering to put it on a 0% credit card, but I can't conscionably allow that - he works for the NHS and him and his wife are looking to sell and buy a new house this year, at the same time taking on a bulk of this cost would put a dent in my and my husbands savings, especially as I have just started maternity leave (with a baby due in 10 days). I don't want him to have a paupers funeral, nor my brother to shoulder the burden, nor do I especially want to pay the costs. State assistance with funeral costs seem limited to those receiving benefits, which we are not but I wondered if there were any other routes or options.
Please no judgement on the relationship etc, this is obviously a bit of a difficult time.