When Cornwall Council makes funeral arrangements
Cornwall Council has a legal duty to arrange a funeral where a person has died within Cornwall and no other suitable arrangements are being made.
This may be because:
No relatives or friends can be identified or contacted
Relatives or friends are unwilling or unable to take responsibility for arranging a funeral
In these circumstances, the Council will make funeral arrangements using an approved funeral director.
This responsibility is set out in Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984.
Deaths outside of Cornwall
If a person dies outside of Cornwall, responsibility for funeral arrangements rests with the local authority in the area where the death occurred, even if the person lived in Cornwall.
When the Council cannot get involved
Cornwall Council cannot become involved where:
A funeral has already been booked
A funeral has already taken place
Anyone who gives instructions to a funeral director (for example, requesting collection of the deceased) becomes personally responsible for the costs incurred.
Funeral costs and estates
Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, Cornwall Council has a legal right to recover funeral costs from the estate of the person who has died.
This may include:
Accessing bank accounts, savings, or investments
Placing a charge against property owned by the deceased
The funeral is the first claim on the estate, except for secured debts such as mortgages.
To establish whether an estate exists, the Council may need to enter the deceased’s property to identify assets and retrieve relevant paperwork. While we understand this may be difficult, we kindly ask that family and friends do not remove items or documents before this process has taken place.
Where there is:
No estate, or
Insufficient funds to cover the costs,
any shortfall will be met by Cornwall Council and no costs will be recovered from relatives or friends.
Referrals
Referrals for a Public Health Funeral can be made by:
The Coroner or Police
GP's
Care, residential and nursing homes
Social workers
Family members or friends
You can make a referral using the Public Health Funeral referral form.
Cremation and burial arrangements
The Council’s standard procedure for a public health funeral is to arrange a cremation service, held at Penmount Crematorium in Truro. Family and friends may attend the funeral service but will have no choice as to when it is held. Streaming the service would not be an option at this time.
If the deceased’s wishes indicate burial, Cornwall Council will take reasonable steps to arrange this.
What the Council arranged funeral includes
Cornwall Council provides a basic funeral service to meet legal requirements while keeping costs to a minimum.
This includes:
Collection of the deceased
A basic coffin
Crematorium or burial fees
One suitable vehicle to transport the deceased
A short, simple service at the crematorium or burial ground
Where known, the service will reflect the religious or non religious beliefs of the deceased.
Next of kin, friends, or relatives are permitted to attend, and where possible the Council will make attempts notify them of the arrangements.
What the Council cannot provide
Unfortunately, Cornwall Council is unable to provide:
Release of ashes
Ashes will be scattered in the gardens of remembrance at the crematorium within 28 days of the funeral
A church service
Music choices
Eulogies or personal tributes during the service
Flowers
A gravestone or memorial (where burial takes place)
A vicar, minister, or religious officiant
Viewing of the deceased
A choice of service date or time
Help with funeral costs
If you wish to arrange the funeral yourself but need help with the cost, the following support may be available:
Funeral Expenses Payment can help people on qualifying benefits with the costs of arranging a funeral. This can pay a contribution but is unlikely to cover the full amount.
Bereavement Support Payment is a contributory benefit based on the National Insurance contributions of the deceased. It is available to working age spouses or civil partners following a bereavement.
Children’s Funeral Fund for England allows funeral directors or families to apply for reimbursement of certain funeral expenses for children. See further details on the Children’s Funeral Fund for England.
Charitable support
Additional help may be available from charities. You can identify ones that you may be eligible to apply to by using the grant search on the Turn2Us website.
Other funeral options
If you want to arrange the funeral yourself but cannot afford a traditional service, you may wish to consider a direct cremation.
Direct cremations:
Are simpler and lower cost
Do not include a service at the crematorium
Are provided by many funeral directors
Costs typically start from around £1,000, but prices and services vary.
We recommend obtaining quotes from at least three funeral directors before making a decision.
Bereavement support
More information about deaths, funerals, and cremations is available in the Deaths, funerals and cremations section of the Cornwall Council website.
If you need emotional support following a death, Cruse Bereavement Care can help.