Public Health Burials

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Consultation has concluded

The Council has a statutory duty under Section 46(1) of the Public Health Act (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (“the Act”) to bury or cremate the body of any person who has died or found dead within the Borough boundaries, for the following reasons;


  • when it appears to the Council that no suitable funeral arrangements have been or are being made.
  • It is recognised that funeral poverty may mean that family members cannot afford to make their own arrangements.
  • There are also circumstances where families choose not to take on this responsibility.
In all these cases the responsibility falls to the Council, we are able to recover the costs, when we have made the funeral arrangements, where the deceased had assets available to do so.

We have produced a policy to help guide our officers and those involved and would like to hear your views, to help us make the process easier.


Please email placeconsultations@southend.gov.uk

  • if you have any questions about this consultation
  • if you need any assistance in completing the survey
  • if you would like to receive an alternative version of the survey e.g. paper, or to feedback in another way.

This survey will close on the 23rd October 2020.

To read about how the Council handles your data please visit our Privacy notice: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Privacy Notice

The Council has a statutory duty under Section 46(1) of the Public Health Act (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (“the Act”) to bury or cremate the body of any person who has died or found dead within the Borough boundaries, for the following reasons;


  • when it appears to the Council that no suitable funeral arrangements have been or are being made.
  • It is recognised that funeral poverty may mean that family members cannot afford to make their own arrangements.
  • There are also circumstances where families choose not to take on this responsibility.
In all these cases the responsibility falls to the Council, we are able to recover the costs, when we have made the funeral arrangements, where the deceased had assets available to do so.

We have produced a policy to help guide our officers and those involved and would like to hear your views, to help us make the process easier.


Please email placeconsultations@southend.gov.uk

  • if you have any questions about this consultation
  • if you need any assistance in completing the survey
  • if you would like to receive an alternative version of the survey e.g. paper, or to feedback in another way.

This survey will close on the 23rd October 2020.

To read about how the Council handles your data please visit our Privacy notice: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Privacy Notice

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Public Health Burials - Survey

    The Policy proposes that to provide dignity to those who may be suffering from funeral poverty that in addition to the statutory requirement to arrange for the cremation or burial, what are your views on how this can be achieved

    Consultation has concluded
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