Meeting with Representatives of the Irish Undertakers Association
Complaints have been received by the Society from the Irish Undertakers Association about their difficulties in getting payments of overdue accounts in relation to Funeral Services supplied to the Estate of Deceased Persons, and communication problems with the profession.
The profession is reminded that Funeral Expenses are a first charge on all the Assets of a Deceased person including household effects.
In very many cases the Undertaker has no information as to the identity of the Executor of the Estate, and is sometimes simply referred by the person making the funeral arrangements to a particular Solicitor.
The Society recommends that if the Solicitor acting for the Estate of a Deceased Person receives an Undertaker's Account, then, if the Solicitor is in funds to do so, he should pay same promptly.
If he is not in a position to pay, then he should give the Undertaker the courtesy of a reply explaining the reason, and also giving the name and address of the Executor or Administrator of the Estate, in case the Undertaker is to be at liberty to make personal contact.
If there is likely to be any delay in the issue of a Grant, then, as a matter of practice, Solicitors should encourage their clients to open an Executor or Administrator's Account to enable them to pay priority accounts such as the Funeral Expenses. They should also point out that the question of interest could also arise if the account is unduly delayed.
The Society has agreed that in cases where a Solicitor has neglected to acknowledge an account or give the required information to an Undertaker, that the Undertaker is to be at liberty to send details to the Society for investigation.