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
City of Westminster 1972
Report of the Medical Officer of Health
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37
BURIALS AND CREMATIONS ARRANGED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
Under the provisions of Section 50 of the National Assistance Act 1948 it is the duty of the City Council
to cause to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has died or is found dead in its area if no
other arrangements have been made for the disposal of the body.
Where persons without known relatives die in the City it is not only necessary to arrange their funeral
but in certain cases to dispose of the contents of their homes. This is done in consultation with the Treasury
Solicitor. Such action is necessary to avoid rent accruing, to release accommodation for housing purposes
as early as possible and occasionally to enable the proceeds to be applied towards the cost of the funeral.
During 1972 a total of 125 (117) burials or cremations were arranged by the Health Department as follows:—
| 15 (14) | |
| Paddington Cemetery, Mill Hill, N.W.7. | 10 (14) |
| St. Marylebone Cemetery, East Finchley, N.2 | 1 (3) |
| St. Mary's Cemetery, N.W.10 | 1 (-) |
| Morden Cemetery | - (1) |
| Islington Cemetery | - (1) |
| 98 (84) |
The burial which took place at St. Mary's Cemetery was so arranged to enable the body to be interred
in a family grave.
In addition to the cases summarised above a further 12 (17) were referred to the Health Department;
however, action by my officers resulted in private funerals being carried out either by relatives or other
responsible persons.
Requests for burials or cremations were received from the following sources:—
| H.M. Coroner | 57 (56) |
| Relatives or friends of the deceased | 48 (51) |
| Hospitals in the City | 20 (10) |
CREMATION - WORK OF THE MEDICAL REFEREE
The Medical Officer of Health is Medical Referee for the Council's Crematorium, which is situated at the
St. Marylebone Cemetery, East Finchley. During the year 1,875 (2,013) certificates authorising cremation
were issued. Since December, 1937 when the crematorium was opened 43,628 cremations have taken place.