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Under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984, when a resident in the area passes away (excluding in hospital) the Council has a duty to make arrangements for the funeral if living relatives cannot be found.
A public funeral is unlikely to be arranged according to an individual's wishes. It is very important therefore that you communicate your instructions to your relatives and friends by making a Will.
It is a subject many people avoid, but sharing these instructions is important to make it clear how you want your funeral arrangements and affairs to be handled after your death. It is important to ensure that potential executors of your will are prepared to perform this task. Your will should also set out how your funeral will be paid for, for example savings or a funeral payment scheme.
The Council will not disclose details into the public domain where they relate to the address of the deceased. When tracing relatives it may take several months to complete our enquiries. During this time, and even if a relative has been found, the property of the deceased can remain unoccupied and fully furnished with all their household possessions, papers and personal effects.
Advertising the address would leave the property vulnerable to crime; including anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, arson, identity fraud and the crimes that can be committed using false documents.
The council considers that an exemption to disclosure under Section 40(2) also applies, as disclosing the full name and address of the deceased will lead to living relatives being identified; either by people who know the deceased or by someone making further enquiries (such as a search of the Electoral Register). This might identify the spouse, partner or other relative who may (or may not) still reside in the property. We believe that these individuals would not want it made known that they had either declined or were unable to pay for the funeral. This is a private matter and therefore, Section 40(2) FoIA has been applied to protect the personal information of living relatives.
The table below sets out the number, type and costs of public health funerals per financial year. (more recent data to follow).
Public health funerals
Financial Year (1 April - 31 March)
Number of public funerals
Number of burials
Number o f cremations
*Net cost
2023-24
2022-23
51
-£6759
2021-22
36
-£9544
2020-21
43
-£9204
*The Council may receive contributions from the estate of the deceased to cover the cost. Therefore, we have only shown net cost each year (some years are negative due to contributions being received from prior year costs).
Our Public Protection service has decided not to use an heir hunter or genealogist
We currently use a funeral director who successfully bid for this work through our procurement process. For more information view The Procurement Team information.
We do not publish obituaries for public funerals. Enquiries are made to identify relatives and friends prior to arrangements being made
Approximately 50% of enquiries and referrals result in a public funeral. Otherwise, friends and family make arrangements for a funeral.