When someone dies, there are several important tasks that need to be carried out. Two terms you may hear are funeral administrator and executor. Although these roles are sometimes carried out by the same person, they have different responsibilities. Understanding the difference can help avoid confusion and ensure everyone knows what they are responsible for during an already difficult time.
A funeral administrator is the person who takes responsibility for arranging the funeral.
This person may be:
A funeral administrator's responsibilities may include:
The funeral administrator's role usually ends once the funeral has taken place.
An executor is the person named in a Will to deal with the deceased's estate. Their responsibilities may include:
Depending on the size and complexity of the estate, an executor's duties can continue for several months or even longer.
Yes.In many families, the executor also arranges the funeral.
Sarah's father dies, and his Will names Sarah as the executor.Sarah arranges the funeral with the funeral director. After the funeral, she applies for Probate, settles the estate and distributes the inheritance according to her father's wishes. In this situation, Sarah is both the funeral administrator and the executor.
Yes. Sometimes the person arranging the funeral is not the executor.
John names his brother as the executor of his Will. After John dies, his daughter arranges the funeral because she lives nearby and wants to organise the service. John's brother later applies for Probate and deals with the estate. In this case, the daughter is the funeral administrator, while the brother is the executor.
If someone dies without leaving a valid Will, there is no executor. Instead, an eligible relative can apply to become the administrator of the estate. Once appointed, they carry out many of the same responsibilities as an executor under the rules of intestacy. The person arranging the funeral does not automatically become the administrator of the estate.
The person arranging the funeral usually signs the agreement with the funeral director. Funeral expenses are normally one of the first costs that can be paid from the deceased's estate before money is distributed to beneficiaries, provided there are sufficient funds available. However, if there are not enough funds in the estate, the person who signed the funeral agreement may remain responsible for paying the funeral costs unless another arrangement has been made.
| Funeral Administrator | Executor |
|---|---|
| Arranges the funeral | Administers the estate |
| Works with the funeral director | Applies for Probate if required |
| Organises the funeral service | Collects assets |
| Chooses burial or cremation | Pays debts and taxes |
| Signs the funeral agreement | Distributes the estate |
| Role usually ends after the funeral | Role may continue for many months |
| May or may not be the executor | Named in the Will |
Many people believe that the person arranging the funeral automatically becomes responsible for everything after a death. This is not always the case. Arranging a funeral and administering an estate are two separate roles. While one person can carry out both, they can also be shared between different people. Understanding the difference can help prevent misunderstandings and make an already difficult time a little easier to manage.
No. Although the executor often arranges the funeral, another family member or friend can do so if everyone agrees.
Yes. You do not need to be the executor to arrange a funeral.
No. Arranging the funeral does not automatically make you the executor or administrator of the estate.
If no family member or friend is willing or able to arrange the funeral, the local authority may arrange a public health funeral. The costs may later be recovered from the deceased's estate if funds are available.