Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

[ilikecrisps]

....out of his dad's money? My husband has Power of Attorney for his father, who has advanced dementia. He (my husband) is selling his father's flat to pay care home costs but he wondered whether he could legally buy a funeral plan out of the proceeds of sale? Additionally, he would like to put £1,000 out of the sale money aside to cover the cost of the funeral reception, as it appears that funeral plans don't include this non-essential cost. Is this allowed?

Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks.
Crisps

- - - Updated - - -

I failed to mention that the funeral plan is for the father, not my husband!
Oops
Crisps

[MIKE770]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

....out of his dad's money? My husband has Power of Attorney for his father, who has advanced dementia. He (my husband) is selling his father's flat to pay care home costs but he wondered whether he could legally buy a funeral plan out of the proceeds of sale? Additionally, he would like to put £1,000 out of the sale money aside to cover the cost of the funeral reception, as it appears that funeral plans don't include this non-essential cost. Is this allowed?

Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks.
Crisps

- - - Updated - - -

I failed to mention that the funeral plan is for the father, not my husband!
Oops
Crisps

I failed to mention that the funeral plan is for the father, not my husband!

Eck! thought we were going to have an epic story line. somebody will comment no doubt.

Funeral plans usually kick in after 1- 2 years? maybe more info soon!

[ilikecrisps]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

Thanks, Mike770. It does sound like a juicy storyline out of a soap opera, doesn't it!
Crisps

[ilikecrisps]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

Can anyone help? Are we allowed to pay for father-in-law's funeral plan and funeral reception out of the proceeds of sale from his flat? We don't currently have that sort of spare cash ourselves.
Sorry to be a pain, but we just want to make sure we do everything properly.
Crisps

[Amethyst]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

Morning

I believe most councils don't regard purchase of funeral plans as deprivation of assets/capital but it's not something I know definitively I'm afraid. It might be worth giving the local authority a call and asking them the question.

[MENTION=141]enaid[/MENTION] might know better or have some info where you can find the answer.

[Amethyst]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

This looks like it might be a helpful place for you - http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/forum...nancial-issues

[charitynjw]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

Hi ilikecrisps

I don't really know too much about these things, as it sounds like something best dealt with by a financial advisor (or maybe CAB?).

This looks interesting or perhaps setting up a trust

Maybe @enaid knows of some ideas?

As stated, it's always wise to seek expert financial help.

(X-posts with [MENTION=6]Amethyst[/MENTION])

[enaid]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

Hi, I personally have only read that you can set up a funeral plan for someone else , but that you are responsible for the payments. I know that doesn't answer your question
I can't see a problem as it is not money you are spending that is not in dads interest and the funeral costs would come out of dads estate later if there is enough.
If you have a plan in mind and do shop around and research properly then check with them before you buy or even better give the OPG a ring they are very helpful and will give a definite answer.
The link Ame gave to the Alzheimer's forum, I also would recommend you join it is full of information from people who have or are dealing with this horrid illness.
Good Luck and best wishes Enaid x

[enaid]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

Just another addition as I saw you were selling dads house to pay for his care, my OH plus 3 bros have been in turmoil for a while now about their mum.
She has Dementia and has rapidly gone down hill and can no longer live in her own home even with carers coming in. They have decided to rent the house out and put the money towards her care along with her state and a couple private pensions plus Attendance Allowance it's not far short of the costs.
I am just posting this as a side as there are options other then sell the home if you cover every angle.
I know you may not have an option at all, just the more options you have to think about the better and the Social Workers etc give nothing away imo and are only interested in making sure care if it can be paid for will.

ps It is I who have all the donkey work to do regarding this as my OH and his bros fav saying is 'lets wait and see what happens' my reply 'Nothing will happen unless you make sure it does' may be a male thing lol

[ilikecrisps]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

Thanks, everyone. That's all helpful advice, we'll be in touch with the people you recommended. Dementia is an absolute nightmare for all involved, the social services have been pretty awful and unhelpful but we'll get there in the end! Have a good weekend,
Crisps

[Openlaw15]

Re: Can my husband buy a funeral plan....

....out of his dad's money? My husband has Power of Attorney for his father, who has advanced dementia. He (my husband) is selling his father's flat to pay care home costs but he wondered whether he could legally buy a funeral plan out of the proceeds of sale? Additionally, he would like to put £1,000 out of the sale money aside to cover the cost of the funeral reception, as it appears that funeral plans don't include this non-essential cost. Is this allowed?

Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks.
Crisps

- - - Updated - - -

I failed to mention that the funeral plan is for the father, not my husband!
Oops
Crisps

In my view, a Power of Attorney (POA) means acting for the incapacitated minded person (including dementia) as though the POA were said person. It is essentially like a relationship of trust where the POA acts in the bests interest of the incapacitated other, which includes all the things the affected person would normally do, including but not limited to managing their financial affairs. The POA selling his home to benefit the person affected by the dementia, ie to pay for care home costs is clearly to do with managing 'their financial affairs' and setting up a funeral plan to manage his passing and his estate (at this death) is also no exception.