Provision and Management of Cemeteries

The provision and management of cemeteries in the Epping Forest District is a function that is carried out by the Parish and Town Councils.

For further information about location of cemeteries, availability of burial and cremated remains plots, fees and regulations please contact your local Town or Parish council.

Public Burials

The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 places a statutory duty on the District Council to make arrangements for registering the death and making funeral arrangements in cases where there are no known relatives or friends able to make the necessary arrangements, or if there are no funds available to pay for funeral expenses.

The Council only has a duty in respect to those who have died within the Epping Forest District. Residents of the District who pass away in another area would be the responsibility of the Council for that area and similarly residents from other areas who die within the Epping Forest District are the responsibility of this Council.

When involved the Council will always take the lead in making funeral arrangements and will take reasonable steps to ensure that any known wishes of the deceased are taken into account. Primarily this relates to whether a burial or cremation has been specified, and any religious beliefs that may apply. Because the Council is spending public money it must ensure that the arrangements it makes are cost effective whilst maintaining the dignity and solemnity of the occasion.

This service is not provided in the form of a grant. So for example in the case of relatives of the deceased being willing to make their own funeral arrangements but being unable to fund them, the Council will not act as a "topping up" agency.

Having completed the funeral the Council is obliged to attempt to recover its costs from the deceased's estate.

For further information please contact the administrative team in the Legal Administration and Estates Service on 01992 564151 or 01992 564521.