Help urgently needed.

The deceased has no close relatives and his cousin is unwilling to take responsibility for paying for the funeral as she can't afford to. She is not eligible for a social fund funeral payment because she is not entitled to a qualifying benefit.

The deceased was on benefits and has left no estate.

Can anyone suggest any help that may be available?

Many thanks

Shona

From my days in the CAB, I seem to remember that the local authority or the health service have a responsibility to pay for a basic funeral if nobody else will.

Thanks Robbo

I work for the LA and can't find who deals with it!!!!

I've had a look through other postings on the topic and will ring family to suggest SSAFA, trade unions etc that the deceased may have belonged to.

Cheers

I've got a feeling it's the Environmental Health Dept. at the LA who deal with funerals as I remember contacting them some time ago when I was a Social Fund Officer.They should be able to advise you even if they no longer do it.

Thanks Judith

Turns out it is the parks department - you were right.