London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Burial of the Dead
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, imposes on
the Council the duty to arrange for the burial or cremation of any
person who dies, or is found dead, within the borough, where no suitable
private arrangements are made for the disposed of the remains. The
Council have authorised the Medical Officer of Health to make arrangements
for the burial of any person to whom the Section applies.
In the twelve months ended 31st December, 1958, the Council became responsible for the burial of thirty persons dying in the borough. The following is a summary of the action taken:-
| In the twelve months ended 31st December, 1958, the Council became responsible for the burial of thirty persons dying in the borough. The following is a summary of the action taken:- | ||||
| (a) Cases where the funeral expenses have been fully recovered | 11 | |||
| (b) Cases where part only of the expenses has been recovered | 11 | |||
| (i) Number of these where balance of expenses will be recovered | 4 (amounting to £21.14s.6d) | |||
| (ii) Number of these where there was no further estate or "liable" relative | 6 | |||
| (iii) Number of these where "liable" relatives were unable to contribute | 1 | |||
| (c) Cases where full cost has been borne by the Council | 8 | |||
| (i) Number of these where balance of expenses will be recovered | 1 (amounting to £13. l5s. 0d.) | |||
| (ii) Number of these where there was no estate or "liable" relative | 2 | |||
| (iii) Number of these where "liable" relatives were unable to contribute | 5 | |||
| Amount recovered by the end of the year | £171. 7s. 9d. | |||
| Additional amount expected to be recovered | 35. 9s. 6d. | £206. | 17s. | 3d. |
| Irrecoverable | 122. | 7s. | 9d. | |
| Total Cost | £329. | 5s. | 0d. | |
Of the thirty cases dealt with, eleven were eligible for Death
Grant from the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance. The total
amount recovered from this source amounted to £122. 15s. 0d. (included in
the above figures.)
Since the National Assistance Act came into force on the 5th
July, 1949, the Council have arranged for the burial of four hundred and
three persons under Section 50.
Public Mortuary
For many years, the Council have maintained a public mortuary
at No. 1A, Hornton Place, W.8. From 15th April, 1958, the Coroner
decided that all bodies of persons dying within Kensington coming under
his jurisdiction should be taken to the Hammersmith Mortuary, which