The LGA's snapshot survey shows that the number of public health funerals - where a person dies without family or friends able to arrange a funeral - has increased in recent years.
A snapshot survey of councils in England has found that there were 4,400 public health funerals (PHFs) in 2022/23, the equivalent of more than 12 per day nationally.
Councils arrange public health funerals when a resident dies outside of hospital and there are no funeral plans in place. Councils try to find relatives to handle the estate, but if none are found or able to pay, they provide a simple, dignified service based on the deceased's preferences, if known.
The new research, conducted by the Local Government Association, showed that demand was rising for PHFs, with a nearly 13 per cent (12.8 per cent) increase since 2021/22, when there were 3,900.
This increase has pushed the total spend on PHFs across England up to £5.96 million in 2022/23, up from £5.63 million in 2021/22. Costs have been steadily rising in recent years, with the total spend over the past four years being over £21 million on public health funerals (between 2019/20 and 2022/2023).
Despite the increased demand for PHFs, the LGA’s survey also showed that councils were largely able to deliver the support and information that deceased individuals, and their families, need in this challenging time.
A significant majority of respondents were familiar with good practice on delivering PHFs (84 per cent) and nearly two thirds (63 per cent) provided information online about PHFs and how to access them.
Public health funerals are a last resort, employed when a person dies without family or friends to arrange a funeral for them.
Two-thirds (62 per cent) of councils in 2022/23 said the most commonly cited reason for public health funerals was a lack of family or friends to provide a funeral. It was also one of the most frequent reasons cited in the previous three years.
The LGA emphasised that these tragic figures speak for themselves. It is a sad fact that due to unfortunate circumstances, there are thousands of people across the country with no family or friends to arrange, attend or pay for their funeral. Councils are there to ensure that funerals are provided with the respect and dignity people deserve.
Cllr Heather Kidd, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:
“The rising number of public health funerals is a clear example of how councils are having to do more with less, while also continuing to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are treated with dignity.
“As this survey shows, as costs increase it’s going to add more pressure onto council budgets, even when they can recoup some money from the deceased’s estate.
“Councils need long-term certainty and sustainable funding to ensure that PHFs, along with other essential services, can continue to be delivered to the high standard required.”
Notes to Editors
The survey was sent to English heads of environment or equivalent position, and a total of 109 councils (37 per cent) responded.
The figure of 12 PHFs per day is taken by dividing the 4,400 throughout the year in 2022/23 and dividing that by the number of days – both working and non-working - in a year.
The LGA’s Autumn Budget submission calls on the Government to take immediate steps to stabilise council finances and protect vital local services. The LGA has warned government against further “disastrous” cuts to local government funding with councils already facing a funding gap of more than £2 billion next year (2025/26).