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By law, we must provide a funeral for any person who has died or been found dead in South Derbyshire, where the deceased has no relatives and it appears that there are no suitable funeral arrangements. (Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984).
If the person has died in hospital, the hospital patient affairs officer makes the funeral arrangements rather than us.
Unfortunately, we can only help if the funeral hasn’t already taken place.
Before we can arrange the funeral, the death must be registered, preferably by the next of kin or person present at the death (link to Registration of Deaths). The home of the deceased is searched for a will, to look for details of any interested parties and money to pay for the funeral. If details of friends and relatives are found, they will be contacted and informed of the funeral arrangements.
Funeral payment
If a relative receives certain benefits, they may be entitled to a one-off payment towards the cost of a funeral.
This is from the social fund and paid by the Jobcentre Plus. Contact your Jobcentre Plus office or Social Security office for more information.
Jobcentre Plus - Funeral Payment
Contact details
The Licensing Section
South Derbyshire District Council
Environmental Health Section
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Tel: 01283 595890 or 01283 595724
Fax: 01283 595855
Online: contact form
email environmental.health@south-derbys.gov.uk
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