Who's Legally Responsible for Funeral Costs?

After the loss of a loved one, the last thing you want to worry about are funeral costs. Costs become even trickier if the deceased person doesn’t have assets or an end-of-life plan. There are a lot of financial responsibilities that arise with the cost of a funeral. 

For more help with post-loss tasks and challenges, check out our post-loss checklist. 

Jump ahead to these sections:

• Can You or Family Members Be Forced to Pay for a Funeral?
• Resolving Conflicts Around Who Pays for the Funeral
• FAQs on Who’s Responsible for Paying

The big question is who’s legally responsible for funeral costs? Typically, the deceased person’s estate pays for any after-death arrangements. However, this isn’t always clear-cut. In this guide, we’ll help you understand who’s legally responsible for funeral costs.

Virtual funeral tip: Even virtual funerals come with expenses. If you're hosting a virtual funeral, a specialized, virtual funeral service like GatheringUs can help you streamline the process and avoid spending more than you have to. 

Can You or Family Members Be Forced to Pay for a Funeral?

In short, no family members can be forced to pay for a funeral. The costs of a funeral come from the deceased person’s estate. This will include savings, property, and any other assets. The family will need to sell any assets or use estate funds to pay for the funeral costs. 

However, if the person doesn’t have any assets, it’s a bit more complicated. The funeral costs fall to what’s known as the “executor” or “administrator” of the estate. The executor is appointed in the deceased’s will and is responsible for planning and arranging payment for the funeral. This is usually a spouse or close relative. If there is no executor appointed in the will (or no will), the probate court will choose an appropriate person, often the closest living relative. 

However, the money still doesn’t come out of the executor’s own funds. This money comes from any source. Usually, the executor takes action to either use money from the deceased’s estate or request money from other family members. 

Legally, the only person who has to pay for the funeral is the one that signs the contract with the funeral home. This is why it’s essential to have a plan for how to pay the funeral costs before signing any contracts for the service. 

Tip: Make sure to express your final wishes ahead of time by making a will. We've compared some of our top picks for online will makers below.

Resolving Conflicts Around Who Pays for the Funeral

With funerals ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, conflicts quickly arise over who will foot the bill. Again, it’s helpful to turn to proper funeral etiquette in these cases. The executor or next of kin is typically the one to make arrangements or pay for the funeral, if possible.

Sometimes, conflicts are inevitable. Here are some steps to take to resolve these conflicts as a family. 

Plan ahead

The best way to prepare for funeral costs is to make arrangements while living. More and more people are making prepaid funeral plans. These plans not only help your family in a time of crisis, but also ensure nobody has to shoulder the cost of a funeral. If you haven’t given much thought to your own funeral plans, now is the time. 

Try to compromise

With family members facing complicated feelings around the loss of a loved one, people might act out. Heightened emotions can lead to fights, grudges, and money troubles. To combat this, look for ways to compromise as a family. 

If everyone steps back to look at the big picture, this often brings clarity. Remember that everyone is feeling the same grief. Be patient and understanding. 

Look into low-cost options

The easiest way to resolve conflict around who pays for a funeral is to work together. If every family member chips in what they can afford, it’s easier to cover the full cost. This avoids placing the entire burden on one person alone. Besides, looking into low-cost funeral options or alternatives limits the financial strain. 

Search for assistance

Did you know there are assistance programs for those who aren’t able to afford the cost of a funeral? From private charities to local programs, you don’t understand what’s available until you ask. Your first step is to look into Medicaid funeral assistance to see what’s available in your area. 

If you have friends and family, it might be worth looking into asking for funeral donations, too.

FAQs on Who’s Responsible for Paying

Finally, let’s answer some of the common questions about who’s responsible for paying. Sometimes the answers aren’t as clear-cut as we might think. Facing a death in the family brings new challenges for all. 

Is a child legally responsible for a parent’s funeral expenses?

Again, nobody is legally responsible for funeral expenses unless they signed something agreeing to take responsibility. It’s only the estate of the deceased that is legally responsible for these costs. 

The funeral home is paid out of money from the deceased’s estate before any funds or assets are distributed to heirs.  If the estate alone isn’t enough, children might use their own funds or other family’s funds to afford these expenses. 

Is a spouse responsible for funeral expenses?

Similar to the answer above, the spouse is not legally responsible for funeral expenses. However, it is typical for the surviving spouse to manage funeral planning and costs. 

What happens if you refuse to pay for a funeral?

If there are no funds in the estate to afford the cost of a funeral, and the family refuses to pay for it, there won’t be one. There is no legal obligation to host a funeral service. 

Arrangements are still necessary for the body. Whether you choose burial, cremation, or another option, the executor makes a decision. If all family members refuse the position of executor, the probate court will appoint someone to the position. The least expensive option is usually cremation or direct cremation, and the body may not have any lasting headstone or marker. 

Who has to pay for the funeral when there’s no money? 

If there is no money, nobody has to pay for the funeral. As mentioned earlier, there are programs and assistance options that help cover the costs of a service. However, a funeral is optional. 

The local county usually has programs available, or they might allow the family to declare that they have no funds to afford a burial or funeral. In this case, the county will take care of the disposal of the body, usually through cremation. If you need extra help, read our guide on how to pay for a funeral with little money.

An inexpensive or free funeral could always be at a family member’s home if the cost is an issue. Additionally, many families choose not to have funerals at all. There is no requirement for a funeral. 

What role does the life insurance beneficiary have in paying for the deceased’s funeral?

If the deceased person had a life insurance policy with a named beneficiary, it is not part of the estate. The proceeds pass directly to the beneficiary. The beneficiary has no obligation to pay for the funeral using the life insurance proceeds. 

If no beneficiary is named on the life insurance policy, the proceeds will go to the estate. In that case, the proceeds will be used to pay for the funeral and burial.

What happens if you pay funeral expenses before probate?

Sometimes funeral costs need to be paid before the estate is opened in probate court. If a family member pays funeral expenses out of pocket, he or she can file a claim with the probate court. 

It’s important to note any state or local laws regarding how and when to file this claim. There is often a limit to how long you can wait before filing a claim. The court will then either approve or deny these expenses and repay up to the full funeral cost from the estate. If you don’t know the deceased’s financial situation, be cautious in using your own money to pay funeral costs. If the estate does not have enough money to pay you back, you will be stuck with the bill.

Debunking Funeral Planning 

Funeral planning brings to light a lot of complicated emotions. Not only are you dealing with grief and sadness, but you also need to get financial assets in order. If your loved one hasn’t done any planning for their funeral arrangements, this is a new challenge for grieving families. 

When it comes to who’s legally responsible for funeral costs, only the person who signed a contract with the funeral home is on the hook. Make sure you know how the family will afford the funeral before signing any contracts. With funeral costs rising, it pays to prepare in advance. 

If you’re not sure how to afford a loved one’s funeral, you have options. Looking into low-cost funeral options or alternatives eases the financial burden for everyone. Also, there are programs available for those who qualify for assistance. Funerals are a chance for loved ones to grieve together. Make sure you’re choosing an option that’s right for your family at a cost you can afford. 

For more information on the cost of funerals, review our guides for headstone cost, natural burial costs, and burial plot cost.

Post-planning tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, you have more than just the funeral to think about. Handling their unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.