Do next of kin have to pay for the funeral?
It may have been many years since someone was in touch with their closest family when they are dying, or die.
When someone dies alone, or without family or friends to claim them, the hospital or local authority will begin the process of tracking down next of kin.
The aim is to identify and inform close family members of the person's death, and if the person did not leave a will, to identify who will take responsibility for arranging the funeral.
A spouse – or spouse that the person was separated, but not divorced, from – children or parents, may be traced as next of kin.
In these circumstances, the next of kin may choose not to claim responsibility for the person who has died.
When a person is unclaimed by next of kin, the local authority that oversees the place where the person died, will arrange a
public health funeral, sometimes also known as a pauper's funeral, for them.
Facing funeral costs that were unexpected, can be difficult for families who are traced as next of kin in this way. In circumstances where families waive responsibility for making the funeral arrangements, they will still generally be advised about when the funeral will take place.
If it turns out that the person left property or savings, their funeral costs will be recovered from this estate.
