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Issue - meetings

Public Health Funeral Policy

Meeting: 03/10/2024 - Cabinet (Item 10)

10 Public Health Funeral Policy pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Purpose          

To consider and approve a new policy in respect of Public Health Funerals

 

Recommendation

That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve the Public Health Funeral Policy

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to consider and approve a new policy in respect of Public Health Funerals.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, Councillor Juliet Layton introduced the report and the recommendation to Cabinet.

 

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Juliet Layton and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.

 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

1.    APPROVED the Public Health Funeral Policy

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to consider and approve a new policy in respect of Public Health Funerals.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, Councillor Juliet Layton, introduced the report and outlined the following points:

 

  • It was essential that the Council provided support for those in difficult circumstances where there was no provision for their funeral, and there was no other relative who could do so.
  • It was important that the policy is in place to provide clarity on the Council’s responsibilities.
  • The Council can will receive referrals from social services, nursing homes or the coroner and will organise an unattended crematorium service. It may organise a burial if that was specified through the deceased’s wishes.
  • The Council will look to cover the basic costs of the service and recover any costs where possible from assets.

 

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Evemy, seconded the recommendations and made the following points:

 

  • This was a new policy and gives officers clear guidance representing best practice.
  • The circumstances were difficult where there was no one available to help make the arrangements, and the Council provided this as the last option for the dignity of the body.
  • Any circumstances like this in a healthcare setting were usually covered by the National Health Service.

 

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Juliet Layton and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.