Public health funerals register

When we will arrange a burial

The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 section 46 places a statutory duty on local authorities to arrange for a burial or cremation where no suitable alternative arrangements are being made. 

We have a duty to arrange public health funeral; cremation or burial, of the body of any person who has passed away or been found dead only in the district of Wyre Forest, and have no next of kin, or whose next of kin, relatives or friends are unable or unwilling to make the necessary arrangements for a funeral. They are designed to protect public health and are important in ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances.

Before arrangements for the funeral are made, the death needs to be registered. In the first instance, the home of the deceased will be searched for a Will in order to find details of any interested parties and to locate funds to pay for the funeral. If details of friends and relatives are found they will be contacted and informed of the funeral arrangements.

A basic service is provided and costs involved, including officer time are recovered from any estate. Any belongings will also be disposed of and any money raised used to finance the costs incurred. If a person has died in hospital, the funeral arrangements are made by that hospital and not by us. Unfortunately, no assistance is available from us if the funeral has already taken place.

Estates that are solvent are usually referred to the Government Legal Department (previously known as Treasury Solicitors')  who administers the Estates of persons who die intestate without known kin and may also be found on the Bona Vacantia website.

To aid transparency, we publish information relating to the public health funerals we have carried out. Please note that not all details will be disclosed. This is because they are exempt under Section 31 (1) (a) (law enforcement – the prevention or detection of crime), Section 21 (information already reasonably accessible by other means) and Section 40(2) (personal data of third parties) of the Freedom of Information Act.

We do however recognise that there is a public interest in understanding the cost to the public. Therefore, please see the table below for this information published in financial years.

Further assistance that may be available

Relatives of the deceased individual or others who take responsibility for arranging matters may be eligible for funding. For further information relating to funding you will need to contact the local benefits office (Jobcentre Plus) requesting information in relation to Funeral Payments (ask for form SP200), alternatively you can apply online. This is normally preferable to any relatives or others who wish to influence the arrangements that are made as we will only act to provide a very basic service.

Independent, impartial help with planning a funeral can be found at Funeral Map which lists funeral directors, crematoria, open cemeteries, woodland burial sites, bereavement support organisations, memorial masons and registrars offices across the UK.

For further information please contact a member of the Private Sector Housing Team on 01562 732928.

Registers

Burials

The register of burial may be viewed by appointment only at the Cemetery Office. To book an appointment telephone 01562 822687 between 9am and 10am Monday to Friday. The cemetery office is located at:

100 Park Lane,
Kidderminster,
DY11 6TB