That him and grandma setup we have been fighting in court with her for 2 years try she has took everything he worked for 85 years. He was a retired colonel, had a doctors degree and did physiologic testing for state of TN till he was 85 and had to stop driving and close all his business's down. Now that he has passed there is no life estate left to bury him beside grandma and new wife has taken all money over the 2 years and had all social security deposited in her account every month when we had a life estate acct set up she switched after a month now we have to creamte him couse we don't have money to bury him and I can't accept this when he had it all under control till he retired and court did not move fast enough when there was more than enough evidence of financial abuse moving his money to her joint account with her oldest son over couple hundred thousand dollars plus the CD see cash after he was incompetent need help soon before they cremate him please
I'm sorry. His final farewell (funeral, etc.) will be up to her, unless the rest of the family wants to pay for something different.
I believe that his wife has responsibility for his final disposition. Even if you had the money for an elaborate burial, she would still get to decide on a cremation and simple ceremony (I think).
If she is a professional con-artist, cooperate fully with prosecutors and hope to bring her to justice. I don't know how that can happen before his body must be taken care of in some way. Sorry.
Let her put out the money for the funeral. Step back and see
what happens.
Since she is the legal heir they will go after her for the bills.
Let it go and enjoy the rest of your life.