Public health funerals

Our statutory duty if someone dies within the borough and has no one willing or able to arrange a funeral.

A public health funeral will only be arranged in exceptional circumstances if the family are known.

We will usually receive referrals from the South London Coroner or the Croydon Medical Examiner. A public health funeral will then be arranged through a local funeral director.

We will arrange a simple but dignified funeral. Unless specific instructions from the deceased have been found or religious beliefs indicate burial, it would be a cremation at the Croydon Crematorium.  Family and friends can attend the funeral if they wish to do so.  

Costs

We always attempt to recover the costs incurred in making the funeral arrangements from the estate of the deceased person.

We have statutory authorisation to enter a property, under the provisions of section 61(1)(d) of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, to ascertain the extent of the estate and to remove any items or assets which may assist in funding the funeral.

We cannot provide financial assistance to families for funeral arrangements.

The Department for Work and Pensions offers funeral support for those on low incomes. 

You may be able to get financial support for funeral costs if you:

  • are the relative of the person who has died
  • cannot afford to pay for a funeral
  • are in receipt of certain welfare benefits

 For more information visit: Gov.uk Get help with funeral costs

If  you are not eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment, contact our  statutory funeral officer: PHF@Croydon.gov.uk


Executors of a will

The executor is the person legally responsible for carrying out instructions on a person's will.

We will not be able to make funeral arrangements if the deceased made a will, and the executor is traced. In these circumstances the executor would be expected to organise the funeral.

If the executor wishes to revoke their duties, they must make a formal renunciation of the will and declare that they wish to have no further involvement in the funeral arrangements.

General information and advice

For further information about: