Public Health Funerals
Case reference FOI2025/01339
Received 17 December 2025
Published 21 January 2026
Request
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am writing to request the following information regarding funerals arranged by the Council under Section 46 Public Health Act 1984 (England and Wales) and Section 87 of the Burial and Cremation Act 2002 (Scotland).
1. How many such funerals has the Council arranged since 17 September 2025?
1. In each case please disclose:
a) The name and last residential address of the deceased
b) The deceased’s dates of birth and death
c) Whether the deceased’s next of kin/family members have been traced d) Whether the deceased’s estate has been referred to the Government Legal Department or elsewhere
1. Has the Council passed this information to any other individual or organisation (either formally through a FOI request or by other means)?
1. What is the Council policy on referring Bona Vacantia matters to the relevant authorities across the UK?
1. Does the Council work with any genealogist? If so, which?
1. Does the Council publish a list of Public Health Funerals it has arranged? If so:
a) Where is the list published (please provide web url if on-line)?
b) How often is the list updated?
c) When was the list last updated?
1. Who in the Council is responsible for the Council’s Public Health Funerals? Please advise us of their names and contact details.
Response
1. How many such funerals has the Council arranged since 17 September 2025? - 1
1. In each case please disclose:
a) The name and last residential address of the deceased
b) The deceased’s dates of birth and death
c) Whether the deceased’s next of kin/family members have been traced
d) Whether the deceased’s estate has been referred to the Government Legal Department or elsewhere
The only information we will be releasing is the following:
- The family were found.
- No genealogist was required.
- The individual was male
- Passed away in September 2025
- Was from the TN2 postcode
- Age 61
While the Council may from time to time hold information relating to the deceased persons date of birth, we consider that disclosure of this information, particularly when combined with other details held by the Council, could facilitate unlawful activity, including identity fraud. This information is therefore considered exempt under Section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Law Enforcement).
Although the Council holds information relating to the last known residence of the deceased, this information is also considered exempt. Disclosure could prejudice the prevention and dtection of crime, as the property may remain unoccupied and continue to contain the deceased’s personal papers and effects. Making such information publicly available could increase the risk of criminal activity including theft or fraud.
Section 31(1)(a) is a qualified exemption and is therefore subject to the public interest test.
Public interest in disclosure: Disclosure would promote transparency in relation to the Council’s administration of Public Health Funerals and may assist individuals or organisations with a legitimate interest in a deceased person’s estate.
Public interest in maintaining the exemption: Maintaining the exemption protects against the misuse of sensistive information for unlawful purposes and safeguards the deceased and any surviving family members or associates from potential harm or prejudice.
Having considered the public interest test, the Council is satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
1. Has the Council passed this information to any other individual or organisation (either formally through a FOI request or by other means)? - No
1. What is the Council policy on referring Bona Vacantia matters to the relevant authorities across the UK? - If we have not found a next of kin and the deceased has left an estate we would pass the details on.
1. Does the Council work with any genealogist? If so, which? - Yes, Finders. Thames Probate and Estate Research
1. Does the Council publish a list of Public Health Funerals it has arranged? If so:
a) Where is the list published (please provide web url if on-line)?
b) How often is the list updated?
c) When was the list last updated?
No, the Council does not publish a list of Public Health Funerals that are arranged.
1. Who in the Council is responsible for the Council’s Public Health Funerals? Please advise us of their names and contact details. - Lesley Caveill Lesley.Caveill@TunbridgeWells.Gov.uk
Documents
This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.