Public Health Funerals (Previously Known as "Pauper's Funerals")
You may have heard the term "pauper's funeral" or "pauper's burial". While these phrases are still commonly used, they are outdated and are no longer the official terms.
Today, these funerals are known as Public Health Funerals.
A public health funeral is arranged by the local council when someone dies and there is no one willing or able to arrange and pay for their funeral. This may happen if the deceased has no known relatives, if family members cannot be traced, or if there is simply no one in a position to take responsibility for the funeral arrangements.
Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, local authorities have a legal duty to arrange a funeral in these circumstances.
Public health funerals are usually simple and dignified. In most cases, they are cremations, although a burial may be arranged where there is a legal, cultural or religious reason to do so. The council will normally try to contact any known relatives before the funeral takes place, and family members may be able to attend if they wish.
If the person who has died leaves money or assets, the local authority may recover the cost of the funeral from their estate.
Although these funerals are arranged by the council, every person is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their financial circumstances or family situation.