Decision details

That the Cabinet Member for Resources and Core Services considers the approach set out in the report, placed upon the Council when someone dies within the borough and no other arrangements were being or were likely to be made.

That the Cabinet Member for Resources and Core Services authorises the Director of Law and Governance to publish the approach to better inform bereaved families when the responsibility was placed upon the Council for funeral arrangements by Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984.

Sandwell was responsible for making funeral arrangements for anybody who dies within the borough when no other arrangements were being or were likely to be made, where the deceased had no family or hadn't left a will.

The responsibility was placed upon the Council by Section 46 of the Public Health 9Control of Diseases) Act 1984. The Act also stated that Council may recover all costs incurred in making the funeral arrangements from the estate of the deceased.

The purpose of the report was to agree to the approach set out and to publish the information to help inform those who may be in need of help with funeral arrangements.

Information in respect of the Councils approach could continue to be limited which would require those who may need to access the information in respect of these services to find out information in other ways.