National Assistance Burials / Cremations

The Environmental Protection section is responsible for making arrangements for the burial or cremation of any person who has died in the District where no other suitable arrangements for the body's disposal are being made.

When does this happen?

We normally acts on written instructions received from the local Coroners Officer. In some instances managers of Residential Homes and sheltered accommodation advise circumstances where a death has occurred within their home or accommodation and, as far as they know, there are no relatives willing or able to make the funeral arrangements.

What happens next?

When we have been notified the first thing we do is to collect the deceased's personal effects from the Police.

Where known, or where the death has been notified by the Manager of a Residential Home or Council sheltered accommodation, the residence of the deceased will be searched to try and find a Will or any other documents that will indicate the existence of any relatives, religious beliefs or funeral preferences.

Where details of family and friends are found these will be informed of the death and invited to make the funeral arrangements.

Who pays for the funeral?

The cost of the funeral is usually met out of the estate of the deceased, if there are insufficient funds the executor is personally liable.

Here the deceased has not left a Will the person arranging the funeral (normally the next of kin) is liable to meet the funeral costs.

If the next of kin is not prepared to arrange and pay for the funeral (for example where there are insufficient funds in the estate) they will be asked to make a written statement to confirm this.

Burial or Cremation?

Unless it appears that the deceased would have been against cremation the funeral arrangements will be made with a Funeral Director nominated by us.

If the deceased had left paperwork or advised family or friends that they wanted to be buried suitable arrangements will be made.

In either case an appropriate religious or non-religious ceremony would be arranged in accordance (as far as possible) with the deceased's beliefs. At the Crematorium a Public Health Funeral is just like any other funeral with a chapel service. Where possible the minister of officient conducting the service will have a opportunity to speak to the family before the service to make the service a personal one, where there are going to be mourners present a hymn may also be included. At the Cemetery a graveside service is normally held, and it is only normally the lack of a memorial that distinguishes the grave.

What happens to the person's property and personal effects?

If the deceased left furniture or other personal effects the Council will make arrangements for the disposal of these items. If possible property is sold and the money offset against the cost of the funeral. The cost of clearing the property is normally met by us as part of the funeral costs where the person's possessions are of little monetary value.

In cases where there are assets that exceed the cost of the funeral, property clearance costs etc. we arranged the funeral and when all casts are known informs the Treasury Solicitor in accordance with rules set down by the Secretary of State.

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For more information contact:

Environmental Protection, Environmental Services,
Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcs. WR10 1PT

Telephone: 01386 565015 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Fax: 01386 561826
Email: environmental.health@wychavon.gov.uk