Hi Karen,
Is the executor providing any specific reason for withholding the funds? Usually, if there are no setbacks in the administration of an estate inheritances are received by beneficiaries between 6 to 12 months after the death of the deceased. Case law has come up with what is called the "executor's year" which allows the executor reasonable time to collect the estate.
Its effect is that unless the will states otherwise, interest is not payable on monetary gifts until 12 months after the deceased's death, the executor should distribute the estate one year after the testator's death if they are able to do so if the executor has completion the collecting all assets belonging to the estate then the beneficiaries ar entitled to distribution within a reasonable period of them doing so.
I would write to the executor requesting that he provide an estimated date of distribution, and if it is not within a reasonable time - set out your rights as above and request he provide an explanation for why they will not be distributed within a reasonable time. You may wish to remind him or her that you will be entitled to interest on your monetary gifts after 12 months, and you are within your rights to apply to the court to have him distribute the estate if he does not do so within a reasonable time. Hopefully, this may generate some action.