A lot of people don't realize the importance of having an estate administrator, especially if the passed relative has few assets - but that's when it's most important.

Having somebody who administers the estate can protect relatives from the bills of the deceased as it allows relatives to direct bills and debt collectors to the estate, which will pay out to the extent it can, and when it's exhausted holds harmless living relatives. Not only that, it provides comfort as bill collectors and threatening letters can be directed to the estate, so they are no longer harassing the relatives of the decreased.