Funeral Arrangements

If there is a will, the first obligation of an estate trustee is to make proper funeral and internment arrangements. The deceased may have left specific instructions in the will or in a note with the will. The estate trustee will normally follow such instructions, but is not technically obliged to do so. 

If there is no will, funeral arrangements are made by anyone close to the deceased who is prepared to initially assume responsibility for the costs. Those costs may be subject to reimbursement, particularly if the deceased died without significant other debts.