Cheapest Cremation options/Can we be forced to pay for funeral?

draperwhitman

Hi all

My Brother in law has died. For various reasons he was street homeless and estranged from the family. We are the only employed adults in the family  and his Mother is on a pension, can we be forced by the council to pay for his cremation?

and if so - can anyone advise the cheapest possible cremation options? There won't be a service etc

thanks a lot for any help you can give

DE_612183

I think you contact your local council and they pay and arrange for the funeral - it's usually called a "paupers funeral".

Brie

If you tell the council that he had no funds/assets at all and you don't have the money for a service they will foot the bill.  They won't necessarily be happy about it and may try a couple of times to get you to pay but you can say no.   

It would be a simple cremation (I believe) without any service.  

p00hsticks

DE_612183 said:

I think you contact your local council and they pay and arrange for the funeral - it's usually called a "paupers funeral".

The correct term now is 'public health funeral'
Public health funerals: good practice guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

RAS

Councils may allow open access to the funeral but it will be very basic and at a time suited to the provider. They might opt for cheaper direct cremation.

Whatever the relationship, some members may grieve, not just the loss of the body but the loss of the potential relationships that didn't materialise. If the family wish, they might take responsibility for the ashes and make arrangements for the scattering. Perhaps with a family meet up for those who want?

tooldle

My mum recently died and her instructions were for a direct cremation. Although she had a funeral bond, I was sent an invoice for my records, for an amount just over £1200. The bill included scattering of her ashes. 

Sorry for your loss and good luck with whatever you decide.

Vannaa

tooldle said:

My mum recently died and her instructions were for a direct cremation. Although she had a funeral bond, I was sent an invoice for my records, for an amount just over £1200. The bill included scattering of her ashes. 

Sorry for your loss and good luck with whatever you decide.

Both my parents died in 2022, both had unattended cremations with the ashes scattered in the Garden of Remembrance, cost was £1100 each though through different Funeral Directors. This was in Cambridgeshire.