| Help with the funeral arrangements
Normally, a member of the family or a close friend
arranges the funeral. When there are no surviving family or friends
available, or they are not able to arrange the funeral, the public
authorities will help with arrangements.
NHS Trusts become responsible for the funeral arrangements of a
person who dies in hospital when no relatives can be traced, or
relatives are not able to afford the cost themselves and do not
qualify for Social Fund Funeral Payments.
When someone dies in hospital, a local authority home or in
temporary accommodation, the health board, NHS Trust or the social
work department of the local authority may arrange the funeral.
Whichever authority arranges the funeral may claim on the deceased
person's estate to offset the cost involved. Ask at the hospital or
the home.
If no other arrangements can be made, the local authority has a
duty to bury or cremate a dead person. It may also claim on the
estate to offset the costs. Funerals arranged by public authorities
are conducted with dignity and respect and bear no resemblance to
the 'paupers' burials, but the wishes of the deceased or his/her
relatives, if known, are normally respected.
The NHS Trust or health board may offer to arrange and meet the
cost of a burial or cremation of a stillborn baby, whether born in
hospital or at home. You should discuss the arrangement with the
hospital staff or midwife. If you accept the offer, the baby will
be cremated or buried after a simple ceremony. The parents can, if
they wish, arrange the funeral
themselves. |