Funeral arrangements
It is not uncommon for beneficiaries to have particular wishes that relate to funeral arrangements for the deceased. If you are a beneficiary of a will it is your right to consult the executor to find out if there are any specific funeral directions outlined the deceased’s will. If there are no directions for funeral arrangements in the will then it is up to the executor to inform the beneficiaries of the arrangements they will be making for the funeral. The beneficiaries do not have any rights related to these funeral arrangements; however requested changes to these arrangements can made to the Executor for their consideration. The Executor is under no obligation to fulfil these requests.
Funeral expenses
Funeral expenses will be paid before any beneficiary receives their entitlement. None of the deceased’s assets will be distributed to the beneficiaries until the executor finalises funeral arrangements. The person responsible for ordering the funeral and managing it (typically the executor) is liable for the funeral expenses and must pay the account, but is then entitled to receive reimbursement from the estate ahead of the beneficiaries and creditors.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation