If a person dies within the Brent area and there are no known relatives or friends able to make the necessary arrangements, then we are required under The Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984) to register the death and arrange the funeral.
A public health burial is only carried out when it appears that no other agency or persons are willing or able to make suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body.
Residents of Brent who pass away in another borough or council are not the responsibility of the Council.
Executors of the deceased
If the deceased made a will, the council may not become involved in the undertaking of the funeral arrangements unless the executor revokes the will. If a will is found the Local Authority may contact the executor to find out their intentions.
Searches
We may conduct a search of the property of the deceased with a view to finding details of relatives, a will, or bank details etc.
What happens next?
Brent uses its own funeral service to make the arrangements on behalf of the deceased. We will only provide cremation or a simple burial in a common grave if specified by religious beliefs or express written wishes of the deceased. We will not pay for the cost of hearse, flowers or a grave marking.
The cremated remains of the deceased will be scattered in the gardens of remembrance unless other specific instructions are found amongst the deceased possessions or in a will. Any costs associated with specific instructions must however first be met either through the deceased's estate or by family members or friends. Where a family member wishes to retain the remains, they must be collected from the crematorium.
The Council is entitled to recover the costs of a funeral from the estate of the deceased by selling their belongings or claiming monies from a bank account.