R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-33-23: Persons to whom compensation payable in event of death.

(a) The compensation payable under chapters 29 — 38 of this title in case of death of the injured employee shall be paid to his or her legal representatives. If he or she has no legal representative, the amount is payable to his or her dependents entitled to that compensation or, if he or she leaves no dependents, to the person to whom the expenses for the burial and last sickness are due.

(b) If the payment is made to the legal representative of the deceased employee, it shall be paid by the legal representative to the dependents or other persons entitled to it under chapters 29 — 38 of this title.