View report page

Inquests. Inquests on 56 residents of the Borough were held during
the year, the verdicts being: 9 deaths due to road accidents, 19 other
accidents, 19 suicides, 1 acute alcoholism, 2 misadventure, 1 natural
causes, and 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 person found dead
within the Borough where no private arrangements have been made. 23 such
burials took place during the year-22 adults and one stillborn childat
a cost of £257, of which £218 was recovered by the end of the year
either from the estates of the deceased persons or from liable relatives,
or by way of grants made under the National Insurance Act, 1946. Sixteen
requests for burial came from H.M.Coroner's Officer, 5 from relatives and
2 from friends of the deceased.
Disposal of contents of homes. It is often necessary where persons
living alone have died in the Borough, 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 accommodation for housing purposes as soon as
possible.
Transport of bodies abroad. From time to time certificates are
issued regarding bodies transported abroad, to the effect that the deceased
did not die from an infectious disease and that the coffin had been hermetically
sealed. One such certificate was issued this year, relating to a
body flown to Israel for burial.
Free Washing Facilities
The Council provides free washing facilities in 16 of the twenty-two
public conveniences in the Borough.
17