Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey
Funeral costs
We have found that there has been a death in the family. Can an aunt or cousin be FORCED by the state to pay for funeral costs? There is no will and a distant relative is telling us it's our responsibility (even though we haven't spoken in years).
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Funeral costs
There is no finalcial obligation on relatives to provide for a funeral. The deceased would be treated as a pauper and burried by the State, at no cost. If the family does not want this, then they would have to assume the financial responsibility. If the deceased was receiving medicare or medicaid, or was eligible for it, there may be some financial assistance available from the government to cover some costs (simple pine box) but the burial location would be determined by the agency which paid for it.
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