WIREDGOV

LGA Community Wellbeing spokesperson Cllr Izzi Seccombe responds to a new survey of public health funerals by the BBC.

View survey: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34943805

"These tragic figures speak for themselves. People, mostly elderly, are dying around us with no family or friends nearby to care for them.

"It is a sad fact that there are thousands of people across the country with no family or friends to arrange, attend or pay for their funeral. Nobody should find themselves in that position.

"Our ageing population is growing rapidly and so is the worrying picture of isolation and loneliness across the country.

"Though little known, providing a funeral with the respect and dignity that people deserve is just one of the services that people in need can rely on their council for.

"Public health funerals are a last resort and many people on low income are entitled to a social fund funeral."

Notes for editors

www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview