Hartlepool Borough Council arranges public health funerals where a person has died and there is no one else able or willing to make funeral arrangements. Wherever possible, we follow any known wishes of the deceased, make reasonable efforts to trace next of kin, and recover costs from the deceased’s estate if funds are available.
What is a public health funeral?
A public health funeral (sometimes called a pauper’s funeral) is a burial or cremation arranged by the Council when someone dies and no one else is available, willing or able to make suitable arrangements.
This is a statutory duty under Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and is carried out in line with national guidance to ensure dignity and respect.
This duty applies only to deaths in Hartlepool where no other arrangements are being made. It does not apply to hospital deaths, as responsibility lies with the relevant health authority.
When the Council will arrange a funeral
We would not usually arrange a funeral if:
- there is a next of kin
- the next of kin receives qualifying benefits (as the Department for Work and Pensions may fund a basic funeral)
You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging.
If the deceased was ex-service personnel, you can also contact the Royal British Legion for support.
Our process
When the Council becomes aware of a death and no funeral arrangements are being made, our Adult Social Care team assesses the case. We:
- make documented efforts to trace next of kin or anyone with responsibility
- check for a will or instructions left by the deceased
- record all findings
If wishes about burial or cremation are known, we follow them wherever possible. If no wishes are recorded, we arrange a basic and dignified funeral.
How we arrange funerals:
- we work with local funeral directors and crematorium/cemetery services
- services are modest to ensure public funds are used responsibly
- all funerals are carried out respectfully and in line with legal guidance
- our contracted funeral director is Victoria House Funeral Service, Victoria Road, Hartlepool TS26 8DD
Most public health funerals are cremations unless there is a burial plot/family plot already reserved, or the deceased has wishes recorded around burial.
Costs and funeral records:
We publish a record of public health funerals, including:
- date of funeral
- whether next of kin were traced
- whether a will or instructions were held
- type of funeral
- whether costs were recovered
Address details are not published to prevent crime in unoccupied properties. We consider this exemption under Section 31 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 to be in the public interest.
When necessary, we refer cases to Estate Research or Finders to help locate relatives.
A list of public health funerals arranged by the Council is published as a downloadable document:
Hartlepool Borough Council public health funeral records
Contact us
To report a case or ask questions about public health funerals, contact:
Integrated Single Point of Access (ISPA)
Tel: 01429 803100