HC Deb 29 November 1984 vol 68 c571W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families were given payments by local authorities towards funeral expenses during 1983; and at what average level and what overall cost.

Mr. Newton

Local authorities have no specific powers to make payments to families towards the cost of funerals but they have a duty to arrange for the burial or cremation of a body where no suitable arrangements have been made. Information is not held centrally on the number and cost of such burials.