Funeral expenses

Social Services organise the funeral of anyone who dies within the borough 'in-testate' (leaving no known blood relatives and not having made a will). This does not include people who have died in testate in hospital, or in a Primary Care Trust (PCT) elderly resource centres. In these instances Barnsley District and General Hospital or the Primary Care Trust are responsible for making the necessary arrangements.

The service is available to anyone in the Barnsley Borough who dies intestate by leaving no known blood relatives and not having made a will.

Social Services organise the funeral of anyone who dies within the borough 'in-testate'. If during the procedure blood relatives are found, the blood relatives will assume responsibility for the funeral arrangements and payment. Social Services have a contract with a funeral director to undertake these arrangements. Where no will is found, no express wishes made, or if there are no religious grounds, then all funeral arrangements made by Social Services will be cremations.

In the first instance, enquiries should be made via the Coroners Office on Tel: (01226) 736031. Social Services only act on cases referred by the Coroner.

A contract price for this service has been negotiated between Social Services and the contracted Funeral Director. If the deceased person has funds available then the cost of the funeral will be deducted from their funds.

Additional Notes

Thorough investigations by the Police and Coroner are carried out to establish if the deceased had any blood relatives before the funeral arrangements are referred to Social Services.