Are we liable for this debt?

[lifeisacat]

FIL passed away 12 months ago. We don't live nearby but BIL/SIL do. He made the children executors of his estate. MIL was in a home. Plan was to sell the home, pay debts and rest goes to her. Nothing goes to the children
She decided she wanted to go home so sale of house was stopped.
We have had a bill from solicitors of money owed for funeral.
BIL keeps saying he will sort it with MIL and not to worry. Had another letter this week saying still not paid.
I called solicitors and they said they can't tell me if we are liable to pay it because it's their bill so would be a conflict of interest.
So would we be liable? Or is she liable because she got all his inheritance? We have a strained relationship with family at best, so things aren't easy to sort out.
We are in another country, so don't see them often at all.

It would usually be settled from the deceased persons estate

There is no money in the estate apart from the house which now isn't being sold

So there were no cash assets at all ?

when you say ‘we ‘ have received a bill do you mean you directly or MIL

It's MIL's debt then.
Not your problem.

The estate needs to pay it.

Are there any assets in the estate that are not the house?

If MIL inherited then it's hard to see how you are liable.

This seems to suggest executors/next of kin may be responsible.

Who signed the contract for/organised the funeral?

www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare/advice/who-is-responsible-for-making-funeral-arrangements#

It's MIL's debt. If there is no money and she is in receipt of benefits she may be able to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment.

www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

They were both in homes and there was debuts MIL had built up so really nothing left apart from the house.
We didn't organise or sign anything for funeral, as wee weren't in the country. The will made my husband BIL and SIL executors of his estate.

You won't be liable but your MIL is as she inherited. She will have to raise the money somehow.

She needs to pay them. Maybe have a whip round to get it settled if you're feeling kind.