The colloquial phrase “pauper’s funeral” dates back to the Victorian Poor Laws, when people who died in state care ended up in mass burial pits. The stigma of a "pauper's grave" was a source of great fear and humiliation for those without means, as it signified a final failure in life.

This phrase can therefore be seen to devalue the love of those around them who may be unable to find what is a significant cost, especially if completely unexpected.

Public health funerals” as they are officially known are provided by local authorities for people who have passed away and have no next of kin, or whose next of kin, relatives or friends are unable or unwilling to make the necessary arrangements for a funeral. They are designed to protect public health and are important in ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances.

Other terms that can be used are “local authority funeral” or “Section 46 funeral” which carries more dignity, facts and compassion. This matters because the last act we perform for someone should honour who they were, not shame how they died.

Why people receive a public health funeral

There are a few practical reasons why councils step in to arrange a funeral. Sometimes someone dies with no next of kin able or willing to take responsibility. Sometimes there simply aren’t enough funds or the estate cannot cover funeral costs – there are strict rules for this, it cannot just be selected as a cost-free option as the local authority has an obligation to recoup at least some costs where possible. Another reason may be that the person is unidentified or unclaimed. None of these reasons is a moral failing; they’re administrative and financial realities. Councils carry out these duties because the law requires them to ensure the dignified disposal of the dead. Describing these funerals as “pauper’s funerals” adds stigma to what is often a humane statutory duty.

What a council-arranged funeral usually looks like

Public health funerals are designed to be respectful, simple and lawful. What’s included varies by area, but commonly councils will arrange collection of the deceased, a basic coffin, transport, cremation or burial fees, and a simple service or attendance at a crematorium.

Councils often record details about the deceased and keep documentation should family come forward later. Some local authorities allow family or friends to attend if they contact the council in advance. These services are not a caricature of austerity; they are a practical, regulated way to ensure every person receives a proper send-off.

Councils try to be sensitive, and improving practice matters

Central government guidance and many councils emphasise dignity and good practice when delivering public health funerals. The government’s guidance on public health funerals lays out principles for compassionate handling, record keeping and opportunities for relatives to be involved where possible.

Individual council teams, including cemetery staff, environmental health officers and funeral officers, often go to lengths to treat remains respectfully, to document personal items, and in some cases to carry out a short service that honours the person. People working in this area frequently describe it as both emotionally demanding and deeply meaningful work.

There is no shame in not being able to afford a funeral

Funerals are expensive. Recent UK reports put the average cost of a basic attended funeral in the region of £4,000–£4,700, and the wider ‘cost of dying’ can be much higher when wakes, legal fees and estate costs are included. These rising costs are the reason many families feel financial pressure or turn to direct cremations or crowdfunding.

Not being able to pay for a funeral does not diminish the worth of the person who has died - it reflects wider economic pressures and, sometimes, isolation. If you’re worried about funeral costs, there are sources of help and advice (including potential benefits, grants and charitable support) that can reduce pressure on families. You can find out more at https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

Language shapes how we remember people

Words like “pauper” carry a long history of class judgement and exclusion. When we insist on accurate, less loaded language, such as public health funeral, local authority funeral, or simply a council-arranged funeral, we change the story. We remind ourselves and others that people die for many reasons, and that the measure of a society is how it treats the most vulnerable at the end of life.

If you’re worried about costs or making arrangements

If you’re arranging a funeral and worried about money, seek information early. MoneyHelper and other advice services explain eligibility for funeral-related benefits and grants and list local charities and support. Funeral directors and local councils may also offer lower-cost options such as direct cremation, and many families find that honest conversations about wishes and budgets before death reduce stress later.

In short: be kind. Calling a council-arranged funeral a “pauper’s funeral" risks shaming people who are already vulnerable. Using accurate, respectful language helps ensure everyone receives the dignity they deserve.

Further reading

• Ashes to Admin: Tales from the Caseload of a Council Funeral Officer by Evie King. A humane, eye-opening account from someone who works on council funerals; it brings the human stories behind the administration to life.
• Public health funerals: good practice guidance. For the legal and policy framework that councils follow.