A Public Health Funeral happens when someone dies and there is no one else able or willing to arrange the funeral - no family, no friends, and no one to take responsibility.

Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, it's the local council’s legal duty to arrange the funeral in these situations.

A list of public health funerals East Hampshire District Council has undertaken is available on our website.

When does the council step in?

  • The deceased has no next of kin, or none willing to take responsibility.
  • No suitable funeral arrangements have been made.
  • Notification usually comes from the coroner, a care home, hospice, or individual who knew the deceased.
  • If someone dies in a hospital with no known relatives, the hospital usually handles the arrangements, unless passed to the council.

How is the funeral paid for?

The council initially covers the cost of the funeral.

Following this, efforts are made to recover the cost from the deceased’s estate (any money, property, or assets they may have left behind).

If the estate has more than £500 left after costs are recovered and there are no relatives, the remainder is sent to the Government's Treasury Solicitor (this is known as Bona Vacantia – ownerless goods go to the state).

Council’s role - what we do

  • Register the death
  • Choose and liaise with a contracted funeral director
  • Organise the funeral
  • Pay for the funeral
  • Attempt to recover costs from the estate

What the council won’t do

  • They won’t contribute to funerals arranged by others
  • They don’t accept part payments
  • They don’t act as executors or manage the full estate for others

Cremation and ashes

If there's no objection based on religion, the person is usually cremated. Ashes are scattered in a garden of remembrance.

Finding relatives

The council will search the deceased’s home and belongings to try to find:

  • family or friends
  • a will or funeral wishes

Two council officers will usually attend the property and document everything.

The coroner may also place a public notice looking for family.