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Public funerals

Find out what happens if there is no one to arrange a funeral when someone dies.

Where no there are no funeral arrangements for someone who has died, we may have a duty to help out. If we can we will recover expenses will from the estate of the deceased.

If the death occurred in hospital

The Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust will arrange for the funeral of any person who died in or whilst travelling to hospital.

Paying for the funeral

If possible the cost of the funeral is met out of the estate of the deceased, or from a spouse or a parent. If details of family and friends are found they will be informed of the death and invited to make the funeral arrangements. If it is not possible to contact a spouse or a parent the cost will be met by us.

Property and personal effects

If the deceased left furniture or other personal effects arrangements will be made for the disposal of these items and any money recovered offset against the cost of the funeral.

When all costs are known and the value of the estate exceeds this, the Treasury Solicitor is informed.

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