Information Public Health Funerals
Content
We are responsible for burying or cremating someone if:
- no other arrangements are being made
- the person died within East Devon Council's area
The responsibility is placed on us by Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. We are unable to become involved if the funeral is already booked or has taken place. Anyone giving instruction to a firm of funeral directors, for example for collection of the body, handles any costs incurred.
For more information email environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk or call 01395 517 417.
Costs
Any estate (usually money or property) that the deceased has must first be used to pay for the funeral. There are exceptions such as secured debts, mortgages or secured loans. Any money left by the person who died should not be used to pay off any other bills.
We have a right, where possible, to recover all the costs incurred in making the funeral arrangements from the deceased’s estate. This includes:
- accessing bank accounts,
- savings
- investments
- selling belongings
- placing a charge against property owned
To do this we may need to enter the deceased’s property, to identify any estate and remove items or assets. While we appreciate it is difficult, we ask that family and friends don’t remove any items themselves. Any shortfall in the costs will be borne by us and where there is no estate, no costs will be claimed back.
Locating next of kin
The council will try to locate living relatives or friends of the deceased and pass the responsibility for the funeral on to them.
When no information about the deceased is available, the local authority may need to enter the deceased’s property or residence to carry out a property search and will liaise with the property owner/landlord.
Executors of a will
Where the deceased left a will, and the executor is traced then the executor would be expected to take on arrangements for the funeral.
Important points about public health funerals
- By opting for a public health funeral, the next of kin relinquishes any responsibility for, and therefore control of, the funeral to the local authority.
- The public health funeral will be arranged by the local authority and conducted in line with best practice guidelines
- The local authority has a legal right to recover, from the estate of the deceased person, the expenses incurred (or however much is available toward them) in the provision of a public health funeral.
Standard practice for public health funerals
Referrals
Cases may be referred from the coroner’s office, hospices, social services, housing offices, care homes, private landlords and other people.
The steps taken will then vary depending on the referral route and specifics of the case.
Arrangements
Once the council has accepted a case, we will deal with all aspects of the organisation of a funeral, including registering the death, dealing with the funeral directors to make the arrangements, and paying for the funeral.
The council’s contracted funeral directors will provide everything necessary for a simple but dignified funeral, including a coffin and transport of the deceased to the crematorium or cemetery.
If the death occurred in hospital.
In this instance it will normally be the NHS who will arrange for the funeral of any person who died in or whilst travelling to hospital.
If the death occurred in a care home.
The care home may arrange the funeral of any person who died in the care home. However, they may seek advice and request the provision of a Public Health Funeral.
Get help with funeral costs.
If you’re on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging, you may be able to get a funeral payment from the Funeral Expenses Fund. You may have to repay all or some of it back from the estate of the deceased person.
Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment): How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Enquiries about a Public Health Funeral.
Details of Public Health Funerals conducted by East Devon District Council are listed here:
Bereavement Services - East Devon