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DECEASED PERSONS.
Inquests. Inquests were held on 49 residents of the Borough; 16
deaths were due to suicide, 21 were accidental and 12 were due to other
causes (2 natural, 5 misadventure, 5 open verdicts).
Burials. Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, places
a duty on the Council to arrange for the burial of any persons found dead
within the Borough where no private arrangements have been made.
Twenty-nine such burials (21 adults, 2 children under 10 years,
3 under one month and 3 stillborn babies) took place during the year at a
cost of £270, of which sum £68 was recovered by the end of the year from
the estates of the deceased persons, from liable relatives, or by way of
grants made under the National Insurance Act, 1946.
Requests for burials came from the following sources:-
H.M. Coroner's Officer 15
Relatives of Deceased 11
Friends of Deceased 3
Where persons living alone die in the Borough, it is often necessary
to dispose of the contents of their homes. This is done in conjunction
with relatives of the deceased, or with the Treasury Solicitor where there
are no known relatives, and has the effect of releasing the accommodation
for housing purposes as soon as possible.
Eight bodies recovered from the river were received into the Mortuary
during the year.
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