Public health funerals
When a person dies at home or in a residential or nursing home in the Derby city area and there is no one or no money to pay for the funeral, we may be able to arrange their funeral.
The funeral is very dignified, conducted with respect and decorum, but we do not pay for flowers, additional cars or a headstone. A short service at the chapel can be held if requested.
The Council's current appointed funeral director is A W Lymn, Derwent House, 9 Becket Street, Derby.
After a cremation, a nominated family member can collect the ashes by arrangement from Markeaton Crematorium. When you contact us, please advise if you would like the ashes for a private ceremony.
Please refer to our public health funeral policy.
Contact the Environmental Protection team at environmental.services@derby.gov.uk or 01332 642020 for further information.
If a person dies at home or in a residential / nursing home you need to contact us immediately.
We need to know:
- The name and address of the deceased
- The date of death and birth, if possible
- Where the deceased is
- Who has the certificate of death
- Any paperwork that you have
- Who needs to be notified of the funeral arrangements
If the deceased has died in hospital, the hospital will make the arrangements and pay for the funeral.
We will:
- Register the death
- Arrange to search the home of the deceased for a will, bank information and other documents or property to pay for the funeral and contact relatives
- Arrange for a cremation or burial
- Notify the Treasury Solicitor if there is money in the estate once the funeral has been paid for.
When someone is found deceased, the coroner may need to decide if the death was due to natural causes.
The coroner will then release the deceased for a funeral.
If you are a family member or close friend and can’t afford the funeral costs, then you must inform the coroner.
The coroner will then refer the case to the Environmental Protection team who will make contact with you.
You may be able to get a funeral expenses payment if you arrange the funeral yourself and are in receipt of the relevant benefits.