I am so sorry for your loss.    The mortgage is a debt of the estate and technically dents of the estate must be paid with estate assets.  But that does not mean that you can negotiate with the bank to try and resolve the matter to their satisfaction before the foreclosure occurs.  What you can do is to try and get the lender to agree to a short sale and to waive the deficiency.  Or to agree to take a deed in lieu of foreclosure and waive the deficiency.  Ir you can look in to filing for bankruptcy for the estate and to  discharge the debt.  But I think that you may need some help from someone in your area.  Good luck.