Can funeral and burial costs be paid by others, including from a Death Benevolence Fund (khairat kematian), and does the story of Mus'ab bin Umair mean the costs may only come from the deceased's own estate?

Summary

Funeral costs are met first from the deceased's estate, before debts, bequests and inheritance shares. However, there is no prohibition on using other people's money, such as contributions from children or relatives, to help pay for them, provided it does not burden the contributor. If the deceased was destitute, the costs fall on those who supported him in life, then the Baitul Mal, then wealthy Muslims. Khairat kematian funds are not part of the deceased's estate, so they may be used to help cover funeral costs.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.