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State Assisted Funerals

What is the service?

Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 Waveney District Council is obliged to organise a funeral for any person who has died in their area where it appears that no suitable arrangements have been or are being made for a funeral to take place.

What do we do?

We will deal with all aspects of the organisation of a State assisted funeral:

  • Registering the death.
  • Dealing with the undertakers and organising the details of the funeral.
  • Involving friends and relatives of the deceased in the process.
  • Paying for the funeral.
  • Seek to recover our expenses from any estate left by the deceased.

We will not:

  • Accept part payment for funerals.
  • Contribute to the costs of funerals organised by other persons.
  • Administer Estates on behalf of others.

If any estate remains after we have recovered our expenses and the deceased has no living blood relatives the Council will refer the estate to the Government's Treasury Solicitor for final administration.

How do I obtain the service?

If you need to discuss the arrangements of someone's funeral please contact us by telephone on: (01502) 523236

by e-mail: info@waveney.gov.uk Or by writing to:

Enforcement Officer
Waveney District Council
Town Hall
High Street
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR32 1HS