If the deceased didn’t make any preferences legally known, then the decision falls to the next-of-kin (nearest relative). If the next of kin is unavailable or unable to make decisions of this nature, the next of kin hierarchy is followed until someone who is able to make these decisions can be found.

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.

In all states, it is legal to have your loved one’s body at home after they die. California has no law requiring that a licensed funeral director be involved in making or carrying out final arrangements.

Who pays for the funeral? Upon discovery of the body, the relevant authorities will attempt to contact the person’s family, spouse, civil partner, or next of kin. In the event that they do not have one, the council will take control of proceedings and subtract the cost of the funeral from the deceased’s estate.

A council representative will attend the funeral, if no other mourners are expected to attend. In some local areas, it is possible for families to arrange for a religious minister or civil celebrant to be present at the funeral, but they will be asked to take responsibility for this themselves.

People who can’t afford those services are left with the cheapest option: cremating their loved one’s remains and leaving it to a funeral home to dispose of them. Others may simply abandon relatives’ remains altogether, leaving it to coroners and funeral homes to pay for cremation and disposal.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays a small grant to eligible survivors of some beneficiaries to help with the cost of a funeral. The heirs of a beneficiary who has passed have some flexibility in how this benefit is paid out and what it may be used to pay for. …

Generally, a person’s parents, spouse or children have the authority to make funeral and burial arrangements for that person. However, since these people do not exist in your case, you should consider naming an agent to make these arrangements for you.

If someone dies with no money and no family who can pay for the funeral, the local council or hospital can arrange a Public Health Funeral (also known as a pauper’s funeral). This usually takes the form of a short, simple cremation service.

What happens to the Abandoned, Indigent, or Unclaimed Body in America? Unclaimed bodies are mostly cremated in the United States. Cremation lowers the cost to the government, and is more efficient for storage. The ashes are often buried in a large collective grave, or in a columbarium (above ground mausoleum for urns).

When a person passes away without a valid will, he is said to have died intestate. In the absence of any next of kin, assets are typically distributed among more distant relatives or, if no relatives can be found, to the state itself as a last resort. …

Most funerals are arranged by the nearest relatives and if not by a close friend. If there is no one, the local or health authority will arrange a simple funeral. The person may have left instructions about the type of funeral and burial they wanted.

“Technically speaking, if you pass away, it is the responsibility of your estate to pay any debts. With unsecured debts, if the debt is in joint names, it is likely that a next of kin may have signed a “joint and several liability agreement” when the debt was taken out, says Ms Hamilton.

Although the right to a decent burial has long been recognized at common law, no universal rule exists as to whom the right of burial is granted. The right to possession of a dead human body for the purpose of burial is, under ordinary circumstances, in the spouse or other relatives of the deceased.

In most states, you’re allowed to keep the body at home until the burial or cremation. The specific length of time allowed may vary from state to state, but generally, a few days is acceptable. Make sure you’re aware of your state and local laws to avoid any legal issues during an already stressful and emotional time.

Can you be forced to pay for a funeral? It is rare for relatives to be forced to pay for any burial or cremation costs and provided that they have not signed for a coffin, embalming fees or any funeral expenses, relatives are not legally obliged to pay for them.