What term is used when a funeral director possesses the personal effects of a deceased individual?

The term "Bailee" is used to describe a person or entity that temporarily receives personal effects or property from another party—in this case, the deceased individual. In the context of funeral service, when a funeral director takes possession of the personal belongings of the deceased, they are acting as a bailee. This relationship typically involves a duty of care to keep those belongings safe until they are returned to the rightful owner or otherwise disposed of according to the wishes of the deceased's family or the laws governing the estate.

A bailee is entrusted with the property but does not have ownership of the items. This distinguishes the role of a bailee from other roles, such as a custodian, who may control or maintain property without necessarily holding it for another’s benefit, or a trustee, who manages assets on behalf of another party according to a trust agreement. An executor is specifically responsible for administering a deceased person’s estate and ensuring that their wishes, as expressed in a will, are carried out. While the executor may also handle personal effects, the specific relationship of possession that defines the term in question is most accurately captured by "bailee."