Under Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, the council’s Public Protection Team can make funeral arrangements for a person who dies within the city’s boundary, where no one else is willing, or able, to do so. For example, the deceased has no known relatives, or their relatives are unable or unwilling to arrange a funeral.
If the person dies outside of the Stoke-on-Trent City Council area, and no one is willing or able to arrange a funeral, the arrangements will become the responsibility of the local authority where the person died, even if they lived in Stoke-on-Trent. If the person dies whilst in University Hospital North Midlands, the hospital’s own bereavement team will take care of the arrangements.
Where a funeral is already booked or has taken place, the council cannot get involved and anyone giving instructions to a funeral director, for example to collect the deceased’s body, is responsible for any costs incurred.
The council has the right, where possible, to recover all the funeral costs from the estate left by the deceased, which may include money, property and belongings. To identify an estate, we may need to enter the deceased’s property, access bank accounts and sell belongings.
A public health funeral will appear no different to any other simple ceremony, and people are welcome to attend. Everything necessary for a dignified and respectful service will be provided and where possible, any known religious beliefs will be respected.
Usually a cremation will be held at Carmountside Crematorium, unless there is good reason to believe that the deceased would have chosen burial for religious, cultural, or personal reasons.
The cremated remains will be stored safely and made available for family or friends to collect if they wish to do so. If they are not collected within four weeks they will be scattered in the cemetery.
Depending on their personal circumstances, if a friend or family member would like to take responsibility for the funeral, but needs help with the costs, they may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions. The payment will only be a contribution and is unlikely to cover the full amount. Details on eligibility and how to apply, as well as information on other possible sources of funding, can be found online Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment) Click the button below to see how it works.
For further information on the Council’s provision of public health funerals please contact the Public Protection Team on 01782 237788 or email publicprotection@stoke.gov.uk