East Staffordshire Borough Council have a statutory duty to provide a funeral for a person that has died within the borough where no suitable arrangements are being made. These types of funeral are referred to as Public Health Funerals and are performed under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 Section 46 where there are no family or friends to make the necessary arrangements.
Where the deceased has a next of kin but there are concerns over the cost of the funeral they will initially be referred to the Department of Work and Pensions as they may be entitled to a funeral payment through the Social Fund which is administered by Jobcentre Plus for those on income related benefits.
If the deceased has passed away outside East Staffordshire it is the responsibility of the Local Authority where they have died to arrange the welfare funeral even though they may have lived in the Borough.
The council cannot become involved if funeral arrangements have already been made for the funeral to take place. Anyone giving instructions to a funeral director will be responsible for any costs incurred.
East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Environmental Health Team will deal with all aspects of the organisation of a public health funeral, including registering the death, dealing with the undertakers and organising the details of the funeral and paying for the funeral.
East Staffordshire Borough Council will consider any wishes that the deceased may have had. Where no specific wishes or religious beliefs are identified the Councils appointed funeral director will provide a direct cremation, this does not include a service, flowers or memorials. The Council will also not accept contributions for such items. Ashes will be scattered in the crematorium grounds 3 months after the funeral.
However, prior to any involvement by East Staffordshire Borough Council, the following needs to be considered.