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46
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 93. It will be
noted that included in the Table are 12 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 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 necessary to arrange their funeral
and 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 the accommodation
for housing purposes as early as possible, and occasionally to enable the proceeds to be applied
towards the cost of the funeral.

At the request of a relative a burial was carried out at the Kensal Green Cemetery so that the
body could be interred in an existing family grave.

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, 1,832 (1,651) certificates authorising
cremation were issued, and since December, 1937 when the crematorium was opened 35,699
cremations have taken place.