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 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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36
CORONER'S COURT AND MORTUARY
The Coroner's Court and Mortuary is situated in Horseferry Road, S.W.1.
The arrangements made by H.M. Coroner (Western District) for the reception at the Mortuary of
bodies under his jurisdiction in the City of Westminster and from the Royal Borough of Kensington
and Chelsea continue to operate satisfactorily.
The Greater London Council (which is responsible for the provision of Coroner's Courts)
contributes to the City Council's costs in regard to the Coroner's accommodation and the City
Council has a financial arrangement with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in respect
of bodies from that Borough accommodated in the Mortuary.
The staff comprises the Superintendent, a First Assistant, four Mortuary Assistants and a
Cleaner.
Details of the work of the Mortuary during the year are set out in Table 30, page 79. It will be
noted that included in the table are nine cases awaiting proceedings at the Central Criminal Court,
and in consequence no cause of death can be shown in respect of these.
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
the 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 frequently necessary not only to
arrange for their burial, but to dispose of the contents of their homes. This is done in consultation
with the Treasury Solicitor. Such action is necessary to enable the proceeds to be applied towards
the cost of burial and also to avoid rent accruing and to release the accommodation for housing
purposes as early as possible.
During 1967 a total of 107 (85) burials or cremations were arranged by the Health Department as follows:—
| 22 | |
| Paddington Cemetery, Mill Hill, N.W.7 | 13 |
| St. Marylebone Cemetery, Finchley, N.2 | 13 |
| Kensal Green Cemetery, W.10 | 1 |
| Streatham Cemetery, S.W.16 | 1 |
| 57 |
The burials undertaken at the Kensal Green and Streatham Cemeteries were at the request of
relatives so that the bodies could be interred in existing family graves.
nequests tor ouriai or cremation were receivea trom tne toiiowing sources:—
| H.M. Coroner | 49 |
| Relatives or friends of the deceased | 41 |
| Hospitals in the City | 17 |
| 0-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 | 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | — | 10 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 19 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 9 |
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 1,651 (1,679) certificates
authorising cremation were issued, and since December, 1937 when the crematorium was opened
33,867 cremations have taken place.