Public health funerals

We have a responsibility to arrange public health funerals for people who have died and have either:

  • no known relatives to arrange or pay for their funeral
  • have relatives who do not have sufficient funds to pay for their funeral
  • have relatives who are unable to arrange their funeral

Our duty to assist

We are responsible for arranging such funerals under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. We will only take responsibility for arranging a funeral where we have a legal obligation to do so.

We will arrange and pay for a simple but respectful funeral based on the deceased wishes, or religious beliefs where known. The funeral arrangements are made by the council's nominated funeral director. 

For more information, you can contact us via email. 

Public health funeral enquiries

Data for previous years

Year Funerals Cost  Burials Cremations
2020/21 17 £13,960 1 16
2019/20 26 £25,371 1 25
2018/19 27 £16,272 0 27
2017/18 36 £36,192 3 33
2016/17 42 £48,043 3 39
2015/16 25 £20,784 2 23