Public health funerals are required for any individual who has died without known next of kin or enough money to pay for a funeral. Death is a difficult subject for many; and the idea of a loved one or neighbour dying alone or without a paid for funeral plan, is often a feared and unwelcome subject. However, in the U.K. we have a robust system of funerals where the deceased is treated with dignity and respect, and is accorded a funeral by either the Local Authority or NHS Trust, when the individual has died in hospital.
If you find yourself in the position of needing to report a death or organise the collection of a body of someone in your care or a neighbour, you are also able to contact the Coroner and Local Authority to establish that the deceased needs a public health funeral. For more details on this, take a look at this article by Poppy’s Funeral Care.
Public Health Funerals will follow the wishes of the deceased where possible so far as cremation or burial is concerned. They can also liaise with any next of kin who are unable to make the funeral arrangements themselves, although understandably the council will need to make decisions around cost effectiveness.
Historical research suggests that some Local Authorities are spending well in excess of £300,000 for public health funerals. As this is an expense few councils can afford, Grafton Genealogy will work quickly and sensitively to support the estate administration.
In these cases, Grafton Genealogy will work with the Local Authority to establish next of kin and any beneficiaries to the dead person’s estate. As any public sector organisation is encouraged to recoup costs, the estate will be charged for the funeral costs. However, by tracing and contacting any next of kin, and providing research for our cases, the Local Authority can claim back any costs within a reasonable time frame.
Rest assured, that our case managers and researchers are the best in the industry. They will always handle cases with due care and sensitivity, and with a wealth of experience they are able to contact family and beneficiaries who may not have been aware of the death. Grafton Genealogy are experienced researchers who can deal with the challenges of your most complex cases.
