Community funerals
The Community funeral process
When we become aware of a deceased person with no known Next of Kin, we make reasonable enquiries to find out whether there are any living relatives. We use information from -
- the Police
- Neighbours
- other Council departments’ records, if available
- the Coroner
We will additionally use the services of a reputable firm of genealogists, this is to try and locate next of kin. We do not pay for this service, however, if there is a residual estate after a deduction for our costs has been taken, the Genealogists can help the next of kin to recover any monies due to them. The Genealogists will charge for this service.
A Bereavement Officer will usually visit the home of the deceased to search for a will or evidence of family connections. Depending upon the case our officers may advise -
- DWP
- Council Tax
- and/or Council Housing
teams of the death of a person. Notices of the death/funeral and obituaries are not published in any newspapers.
We do not accept responsibility for winding up the estate of the deceased. The officers will arrange for the cremation or interment and recovery of our costs from whatever assets are available, then will close the case. Qualifying "bona vacantia" estates are referred to the Treasury Solicitor.
The ashes are retained for 1 month from the date of the cremation and if not claimed during that time, will be scattered in the gardens of the crematorium.
If family or friends wish to make funeral arrangements (and they are encouraged to do so and have a funeral they would want for their loved one) it will not be dealt with as a Community Funeral and all arrangements will be at their own expense. Our team will not be involved.
We do not use the services of a Funeral Director. All arrangements are made by the Authority as part of its Affordable Cremation Service. There is also no church service. A very short chapel service is conducted which includes a reading.
If you would like to discuss this process -
