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Often after a person passes away, their loved ones disagree over burial plans. Such disagreements can vary from where a person is to be buried, to whether they should be buried or cremated. Disputes over how to dispose of the body can often lead to quite bitter rows, as they usually occur whilst the family are still grieving for the loss of their loved one, and emotions are already running high.
If you are currently involved in a burial dispute and would like to speak to a member of our specialist team please call us on 0203 816 9314 to discuss your situation, alternatively complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you directly.
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A common misconception is that a person’s wishes, as often set out in their Will, are binding on their family. This is not the case. If a person specifies a particular way in which they want to be buried, the family are not required to follow this.
Sometimes, people are also unsure as to who is entitled to make the decision about disposing of the body, and often think that it is the next of kin who is entitled to make the decision. This is not always the case.
The general rule is the person appointed as executor in the deceased’s Will, or the person entitled to act as personal representative, where no Will was made, is the person who has authority to dispose of the body. Therefore, irrespective of other family member’s wishes, there is little that can be done to override this, unless the executor is acting wholly unreasonably.
As these kinds of disputes can only be resolved before someone is buried, the person who is disputing the burial has to act quickly. If no agreement can be reached before the funeral, you may have to apply to the Court for an interim injunction to prevent the burial going ahead.
When the person who has passed away has not left a Will, the person with the highest right to take out a grant of probate can take responsibility for the burial. The hierarchy (Rule 22 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987) is as follows:
If you are experiencing burial or funeral disputes, we can help. Stephensons have a specialist burial dispute team who will be able to advise you in relation to your dispute.
Please call us on 0203 816 9314 to speak to someone about your case, or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you.
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