answer:The proper recipients, as you have pointed out, are deceased. Therefore, they can’t pay back the money. However, the person or persons who took the money illegally should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and restitution should include the amount of the original check and all of the interest it would have earned had it not been in their possession. Any and all checks identified in the investigation that have not been cashed should have a “stop pay” order placed on them. Someone can get a replacement check if necessary.