A BLACK Country local authority paid out more than £45,000 because some families were unwilling to pay for the funerals of their relatives.

Last year Sandwell Council carried out 29 Public Heath Funerals, under a law which requires councils to pay for those who die with no relatives or if families cannot or will not make arrangements.

In total, the council paid out £45,489 for interments or cremations of which £23,898 was recovered from the estates of the deceased.

The information was revealed in a Freedom of Information request which stated the main reason for the publicly funded funerals was that relatives were unwilling to pay for them.

Since the beginning of this year, Sandwell’s bereavement services has conducted 13 services, the majority for people who were elderly and living in care homes. 

But the cost shrinks in comparison to Birmingham’s bill, which totalled  £990,437 for 395 funerals during the twelve months between April 2017 and 2018.

During the same period councils across the country carried 3,800 services for those who died alone, in poverty or without relatives at an estimated cost of £5.4 million.

In an effort to help those who cannot afford the cost of burials and cremations, Sandwell has launched its own funeral service.

In statement the council said it ensures that, where there is no known next of kin or the cost of a funeral is too expensive for some bereaved families, it funds a quality funeral service in accordance with its statutory responsibilities.

A local authority spokesperson, added: “It’s important the council delivers services it has a duty to provide. In addition, the council's own low cost funeral service has been a great success in helping those who may be on low income.

“Hundreds of bereaved families have chosen to use our service since it’s launch a few years ago, with it also helping to keep the cost of publicly funded funerals down to the minimum in Sandwell, enabling many families to give their loved ones a dignified and affordable funeral.”