FOI request (FOIR-723621307)

Public Health Funerals

Requested Tue 17 June 2025
Responded Wed 18 June 2025

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am writing to request the following information regarding funerals arranged by the Council under Section 46 Public Health Act 1984 (England and Wales).

1. How many such funerals has the Council arranged since 12 March 2025?

2. In each case please disclose:

a. The name and last residential address of the deceased.

b. The deceased’s dates of birth and death.

c. Whether the deceased’s next of kin/family members have been traced.

d. Whether the deceased’s estate has been referred to the Government Legal Department or elsewhere.

3. Has the Council passed this information to any other individual or organisation (either formally through a FOI request or by other means)?

4. What is the Council policy on referring Bona Vacantia matters to the relevant authorities across the UK?

5. Does the Council work with any genealogist? If so, which?

6. Does the Council publish a list of Public Health Funerals it has arranged? If so:

a. Where is the list published (please provide web URL if on-line)?

b. How often is the list updated?

c. When was the list last updated?

7. Who in the Council is responsible for the Council’s Public Health Funerals? Please advise us of their names and contact details.

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Response

1. Please see the attached document containing the requested information.

2. Please see the attached document containing the requested information.

3. Please see the attached document containing the requested information.

4. As per legislation/guidelines given by Bona Vacantia (Hastings Borough Council does not have a policy).

5. No

6a. Please see the attached.

6b. Updated every 8-10 weeks.

6c. 17/06/2025

7. Cameron Morley, Head of Operations and Environment, email: cmorley@hastings.gov.uk

Attachments

• FOIR-723621307_FOIR-723621307_1-FOI_Deaths_from_01-04-24_31-03-25.xls