Does anyone have any experience of requesting a public health funeral for a loved one?

[AngeloMysterioso]

Just looking for other people’s experiences so I know what to expect.

I haven't arranged a public health funeral but as a celebrant have taken many myself. You may find you have a little less choice about times etc but the funeral itself should be just the same as any other in my experience. I certainly take as much time speaking to anyone I can and preparing my part. Hope this reassures you a little. I'm in Hampshire if that helps as possibly different authorities handle it differently.

Sorry for your loss.

As part of my role when I worked in hospitals I negotiated the contract for amenity funerals (I think that's what they are / were called).

The undertakers were required to carry out the funeral just as if a family were arranging - the coffin was carried in a glass side hearse, a spray of flowers included, a low cost coffin. They did tend to be held at either the beginning or end of the day. We had the hospital chaplain take the service so I don't know who would if the deceased was not coming from hospital. As I recall, I don't think we arranged for music - but it's possible the hospital chaplain did organise something.

Anyway - the service will be short, respectful but very basic. There wouldn't be an order of service and obviously no wake.

Unfortunately I already know that the local authority in this case only does direct cremation- or, as it was put to me, a “non attended funeral”. So there’ll be no service of any kind.

I was wondering more about the admin side, really- since making contact with the council I’ve had one phone call where I was subjected to a distressing and humiliating grilling about my own finances as well as those of the deceased, followed by a request for their bank details as the council will take whatever money is in there- the account was frozen within an hour of me replying, and since then I’ve had another email asking if anything has been removed from the property. Presumably because they want to go in and take whatever can be sold.

So far the only thing that the council appears to be being doing with any urgency is finding ways to claw back any money they spend. In the meantime I can’t register the death without a death certificate, which the coroner’s office can’t provide until they release the body, which they can’t do until I’ve told them which funeral director will be taking it. And as yet I’ve no idea, because nobody has told me anything.

I'm sorry for your loss - this sounds really difficult.

I've arranged a direct cremation before, and also a small do with a celebrant at a local restaurant. It worked well for us, and it's becoming much more common.

Happy to answer any Qs if I can.

My understanding is that unscrupulous families have taken advantage of the amenity funerals in the past, and so now councils take a very tough line and do check to ensure they're not being lied to and that the family really cannot afford to pay. I can only imagine it must be awful to be on the receiving end of this at a very difficult time. I hope this is all resolved for you very soon x

I'm sorry you had such an upsetting experience with the council, they do have to ask these things but they can be sensitive about it.

If you know of a local funeral director, I'd give them a call tomorrow and ask if they can talk you through what will happen. Even though you won't be using their services, most will be good enough to have a chat with you about it. Also you could get the details of a celebrant or minister who you can talk to, and might be able to suggest other ways that you can remember your loved one.

I have organised public health funerals before. It’s a real shame the authority you are dealing with do not allow attendance, I think that’s unnecessary and really sad.

With regards to the admin, the council will have a contract with a funeral director so they should be able to tell you that easily.

Money is always an issue, lots of councils see this as an inconvenient obligation and it’s poorly funded. Funeral costs are always first call on a persons estate so if there is any money they will take it to cover the costs. That can include selling things. However, no one can be forced to pay for someone else’s funeral. You could have a million pounds but say no, they can’t make you pay. This happens quite a bit after family fall outs.

There is a good practice guide they should be following www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-funerals-good-practice-guidance/public-health-funerals-good-practice-guidance

@CrotchetyQuaver

My understanding is that unscrupulous families have taken advantage of the amenity funerals in the past, and so now councils take a very tough line and do check to ensure they're not being lied to and that the family really cannot afford to pay. I can only imagine it must be awful to be on the receiving end of this at a very difficult time. I hope this is all resolved for you very soon x

Families are not obliged to pay for a funeral even if they do have the funds to do it.

Have you looked at the DWP funeral grant op ? If the person taking responsibility for the funeral is in receipt of certain benefits and the deceased estate can't pay then this may be an option?

@AngeloMysterioso

Unfortunately I already know that the local authority in this case only does direct cremation- or, as it was put to me, a “non attended funeral”. So there’ll be no service of any kind.

I was wondering more about the admin side, really- since making contact with the council I’ve had one phone call where I was subjected to a distressing and humiliating grilling about my own finances as well as those of the deceased, followed by a request for their bank details as the council will take whatever money is in there- the account was frozen within an hour of me replying, and since then I’ve had another email asking if anything has been removed from the property. Presumably because they want to go in and take whatever can be sold.

So far the only thing that the council appears to be being doing with any urgency is finding ways to claw back any money they spend. In the meantime I can’t register the death without a death certificate, which the coroner’s office can’t provide until they release the body, which they can’t do until I’ve told them which funeral director will be taking it. And as yet I’ve no idea, because nobody has told me anything.

You’ve been given wrong information. I know, my mum died last week!!! I’m assuming the deceased has had to have a post mortem to ascertain cause of death? The coroner then determines cause and if it’s straightforward will issue the correct paperwork to the Registrar. Once the registrar has the paperwork, they contact you to arrange a phone appointment to register the death. The body stays in the hospital mortuary all this time. The registrar will then send you the death certificate, which you can take to whichever funeral director you choose. Legally, the cost of the funeral generally comes from the deceased estate hence the questions about their bank accounts. Also legally, you have no right to remove any property from the deceased house unless you’re the executor on their will. It sounds like you believe the local authority will pay for the funeral - which will only happen if there is absolutely no money in the deceased estate. These funerals can take many weeks to arrange.

I concur with @Soontobe60
My estranged father recently died. It was all very straightforward. The coroner's office, hospital and registrar all kept me informed.
Eventually, i decided to give him a basic funeral myself. Just didn't like the idea of no one being allowed in, otherwise.
No cars, flowers etc and no celebrant.
This was covered by the DWP.

@Soontobe60 that isn’t entirely correct. The local authority will be required to provide funerals whether there is money or not if no one else is willing or able. I organised funerals for people with hundreds of thousands of pounds in the bank who had no friends or relatives able to do so. In the OPs case it sounds like the deceased has little to no estate so this probably is not relevant though.

Also public health funerals can be organised quickly, sometimes within days but I never had one over two weeks after being notified.

Where I am I think they carry out cremation with no one present, no flowers, no music, cheapest coffin, no celebrant, no eulogy. Not sure what they do with the ashes. They have a duty to spend as little as possible of tax payers money and will look to claw bank any money in bank account.

[quote Bowlofhotslop]@Soontobe60 that isn’t entirely correct. The local authority will be required to provide funerals whether there is money or not if no one else is willing or able. I organised funerals for people with hundreds of thousands of pounds in the bank who had no friends or relatives able to do so. In the OPs case it sounds like the deceased has little to no estate so this probably is not relevant though.

Also public health funerals can be organised quickly, sometimes within days but I never had one over two weeks after being notified.[/quote]
What i meant was that the LA will claim the cost back from the estate.