Bradford Council spent more than £111,000 on “pauper’s funerals” in the last financial year, figures reveal.

It is the first time in seven years that the amount paid by the local authority for these types of funerals has dropped.

It means the council has now spent £769,925 on them since 2014.

These types of funerals are arranged by local authorities for people who have died and have no known relatives to arrange or pay for their funeral, or have relatives who do not want to, or are unable to arrange, their funeral.

In these circumstances, councils have a responsibility to arrange a funeral for the person who has died and must ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

The highest amount the Council has spent on these funerals in recent years took place during 2021/22. 

During this period, figures rose to £141,337 - the equivalent of 89 funerals and an average cost of £1,588. 

During 2022/23, the local authority had to organise 75 “pauper’s funerals” and spend an average £1,488.

Costing £111,572, it marked a drop of almost £30,000 since the previous financial year.

The majority of the funerals were for men (57), with 31 of these men having no next of kin.

There were 18 “pauper’s funerals” for women last year, seven of whom were without next of kin.

The data shows 24 of those who died were aged between 18 and 59, with 51 of them 60 or over.

There were 72 people cremated, no one was buried in their own grave and three people were buried in a shared grave.

Bradford Council said: "We have a duty to dispose of a deceased body under the provisions of the National Assistance and Public Health (Control of Disease) Acts 1948, if the person who died has no assets or if there are no relatives who can make funeral arrangements.

"Hospitals and care homes may also be able to help if the person dies while in their care.

“Initial contact is usually through the coroner.

"If the next of kin is known, contact will be made to establish if they will accept responsibility. Legal responsibility for married couples rests with the spouse, and for children it rests with the parents."

Bradford Council has organised public health funerals in total since 2014.

A basic service is provided and does not cover things like flowers and transport.