In Re Estate of Inlow

DICKSON, Justice.

When the proceeds from a pre-trial settlement of a special administrator's wrong ful death action are not specifically allocated between different types of damages, to what extent is the decedent's estate entitled to payment therefrom for the decedent's funeral and burial costs? To address this question, we granted transfer.

Lawrence W. Inlow died from injuries sustained when struck by a helicopter rotor blade. Letters of Administration for his probate estate were issued in May 1997. After paying the decedent's funeral and burial costs totaling $284,034, his widow, Anita…