Cubs to cover cost of funeral for Ernie Banks

The Chicago Cubs say they will pay for funeral costs for Cubs great Ernie Banks after a funeral home filed a claim against his estate for $35,000.

Team spokesman Julian Green says the team will pay to settle the claim, filed Wednesday by Donnellan Family Funeral Services.

The funeral home's claim came amid a legal challenge by Banks' widow of a will Banks signed in October that leaves all his assets to caretaker Regina Rice. Last month, a judge ordered Rice to provide a full accounting of Banks' estate after her attorney said Banks had assets worth just $16,000 when he died in January.

Banks' widow went to court to prevent what she says was Rice's effort to cremate Banks' remains.