Sibling not paid funeral from proceeds of late parent's funeral plan insurance.

[Moomin35]

My sibling is the beneficiary of my late parent's funeral plan. They have been paid out on the policy and told me that the funeral director had been paid and that there was a small surplus that has been distributed to myself and siblings. I am arranging the headstone and have now been informed that the funeral director has received no payment. The funeral was several months ago and I am extremely worried that I may be liable for the FD's fees. I have signed nothing and the sibling in question dealt with all the paperwork. It also transpires that the funeral was several thousand pounds less than we were told.
What is my legal position? I am in my twenties, living in a rented property with my partner and young baby. No savings. I would be grateful for any advice. This is making me feel ill.

[PallasAthena]

The person who instructed the funeral director to arrange the funeral is responsible for paying their bill.

[Pezza54]

Please read the article "Paying bills and expenses after someone dies" at www.baker-law.co.uk
Is there a will and if there is who is the named executor or executors?
Executors are normally responsible for paying funeral expenses and can pay funeral costs from estate money.
Money from a funeral plan should be added to the estate value for probate and IHT if payable
Your sibling as the named beneficiary of the funeral plan has taken on the responsibility of arranging and paying for the funeral.
The executor should check out the funeral director's claim, contact your sibling and if your sibling refuses to pay the fd, the executor could settle the bill from estate money and make the appropriate adjustment on your sibling's inheritance. This depends on your sibling being a beneficiary with sufficient inheritance to cover the bill

[Moomin35]

Thank you for your replies, I am grateful for you taking the time to help me.
There is no other money from the estate, only the payout from the policy. No executor was appointed. My sibling took on the mantle as they were the named beneficiary on the policy. We are talking less than £10,000 in total, with the funeral being a tad less than half of that. I am just concerned that the FD could come to me or my other sibling for payment. Money that we don't have.

[PallasAthena]

If you had nothing to do with making the funeral arrangements, had no contact with the FD, never signed anything, and never entered into any contract with the FD then the FD can't come to you asking you for money if part of their bill is unpaid. Just because you are your your late parent's child does make you legally liable to pay the funeral costs.

Your sibling who organised the funeral and entered into a contract with the FD will be legally liable. And that is who the FD would have to take to court if their bill is unpaid.

However I note that you have been given by your sibling the remaining "small surplus" money that was left in the Estate. If it turns out that money wasn't surplus and is needed to pay the FD your sibling is probably entitled to ask for some or all it back again in order to pay the FD. That is because payment of the funeral expenses is a priority charge on the Estate which must be paid before any remaining money is given to beneficiaries.