- Media & Campaigns
- Press releases
- 2009
- January 2009
- Council gritters on high alert for big freeze
- 'Irresponsible and alarmist' - LGA response to equalities and human rights commission report 'Map of Gaps'
- Town halls announce 7,500 new apprenticeships
- Vital reforms needed for local government
- PM's commitment to devolution is the 'right decision for the British economy'
- Multi billion pound recovery plan unveiled
- LGA subs frozen or reduced
- Announcement on LGA Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive
- Paul Coen to leave LGA
- LGA responds to CSCI's report on the state of social care
- New study reveals 'shocking' levels of salt and fat in kebabs
- Councils were prudent over Icelandic investments - LGA tells Commons Committee
- 'Lack of genuine consultation’ hindering Government bail accomodation scheme - councils
- Unison figures highlight the personal price paid by children's social workers
- Surge in demand for council funded funerals as people die alone
- Create 150,000 jobs by combating climate change
- Councils respond to Taxpayers' Alliance report on middle managers
- One person in twelve now on social housing waiting list
- Decision to avoid bin pilots 'unsurprising'
- Farmers hit hard if migrants head home, warn councils
- Council tax to rise 3.5% first indications show
- Cuts to red tape and jargon will help small business, say councils
- One in seven councils cutting jobs due to credit crunch
- Impact of recession on people and businesses revealed by new survey
- LGA Chairman sets out key priorities for 2009
- Keeping out the killer cold - councils protect people as the big freeze bites
- Councils give people 'all possible leeway' on council tax collection
- Gritters out battling the big freeze
Surge in demand for council funded funerals as people die alone
LGA press release - Monday 26 January 2009
Councils are witnessing a surge in demand to fund funerals of people who die alone without family or friends able or willing to pay the costs, an LGA survey has revealed.
Results show an overall increase in requests for assistance since 2003/04, with a 10% increase between 2006/07 and 2007/08.
A national snapshot based on information from 116 councils estimates that 4,900 funerals were carried out by councils in 2007/08. The average cost of a funeral is expected to be £944 this financial year, resulting in estimated costs of over £4m for council taxpayers.
Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, when a resident in the area passes away outside of a hospital and there is no one else willing to pay, councils make the necessary arrangements for a public health funeral.
Cllr David Rogers, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“These tragic figures speak for themselves. People, mostly elderly, are dying around us with no family or friends nearby to care for them. It is a sad fact that there are thousands of people across the country with no friends to arrange, attend or pay for their funeral. Nobody should find themselves in that position.
“Our ageing population is growing and so is the worrying picture of isolation and loneliness across the country. Everyone should be doing their bit to ensure that nobody goes unnoticed. There are some simple signs that an elderly person may need help, such as the curtains remaining drawn or newspapers not being removed from letter boxes.”
The survey revealed that 61% of those environmental health officers questioned felt that the rise in public health funerals was because family and friends were unwilling to meet the costs, while 50% put the increase down to relatives being unable to pay. Over half of them felt that there had been an increase in the number of public health funerals over the past five years.
Cllr Rogers continued:
“Councils, along with families and businesses are feeling the effects of the credit crunch and recession. An increased demand for essential services, together with a drop in the money that can be collected, means that councils are facing tough times but remain determined to deliver for local people.
“Any claim from somebody unable or unwilling to pay for a person’s funeral will be fully investigated before a decision is made. If the council decides to take responsibility, it will be entitled to recover expenses from any estate left by the deceased in the form of a civil debt.
“Providing a funeral with the respect and dignity that people deserve is just one of the services that people in need can rely on their council for. Some people may be surprised that councils offer such a wide range of services and not just street cleaning and planning.”
Councils will do everything in their power to try and locate living relatives or friends of the deceased, and in some cases, pass the responsibility on to them. If a council cannot find a friend or family member willing to deal with the deceased’s estate and pay for the funeral, then councils will try their hardest to establish the faith of the deceased and arrange a dignified service. If not, then a simple ceremony takes place followed by a burial or cremation.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
1) Under their obligation the council will deal with all aspects of the organisation of a state-assisted funeral. This includes:
- Registering the death
- Dealing with the undertakers and organising the details of the funeral
- Involving where possible, friends and relatives of the deceased in the process
- Paying for the funeral
2) There are however certain caveats that apply to this provision. Councils will not:
- Accept part payment for funerals
- Contribute to the costs of funerals organised by other persons
- Administer Estates on behalf of others
Author: LGA Media Office
Contact: Lynne Morris, Tel: 020 7664 3333