Reduce deprivation among older people to lower demand for public health funerals

A new study from the ESRC Centre for Population Change and Connecting Generations (CPC-CG) at the University of Southampton has found that tackling deprivation among older populations could reduce the need for funerals provided by the public purse.

In collaboration with the BBC, using freedom of information requests from both Councils and NHS Trusts, the study found that publicly funded funerals are more common for men over the age of 60 compared to females and those who are younger when they die.

The team found that the total number of public health funerals (PHFs) rose sharply from 4,760 in the financial year 2014/15 to 7,020 in 2020/212. A recent snapshot survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) also found that demand was rising for PHFs, with a nearly 13 per cent increase since 2021/22. However, the CPC-CG team believe that previous figures have omitted to take into account public health funerals organised by NHS Trusts. They found that almost a quarter of all public health funerals reported were carried out by NHS Trust (an average of 1,379 a year).

While the total number of public health funerals is important, with each individual funeral representing the end of a life and public expense, the CPC-CG study found that while the actual numbers increased, the rate of public health funerals per 1,000 deaths did not rise, except in London.

They found that areas that have higher population density, greater homelessness and more overcrowding, such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol have higher public health funeral rates. Many coastal areas, such as Blackpool, Hastings, and Hartlepool, also have high rates. As well as having older age structures, coastal areas have previously been found to have higher deprivation which is associated with demand and provision of public health funerals.

The Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI) 2019 was identified as a key predictor of these rates, particularly in London and the South East. The research found that a one-unit increase in IDAOPI 2019 was associated with an additional 56 public health funerals per 1,000 deaths each year, illustrating the direct impact of economic inequality on funeral provision.



Rising poverty due to the ongoing cost of living crisis may further strain families' abilities to cover funeral costs, increasing the demand for public health funerals. According to the LGA, half of councils surveyed in 2024 reported that the financial pressures from the cost of living have had a significant impact on public health funerals. the study also highlights that men are disproportionately affected, with two-thirds of public health funerals between 2014 and 2020 provided for men.

The seminal work by the LGA estimated a total spend of over £21 million on public health funerals by Councils between 2019/2020 and 2022/2023. While the CPC-CG study can only make a cautious estimate of the cost to NHS Trusts, their finding that Trusts in England are spending around £1.36 million a year on this provision, has previously been unmeasured.

Teresa McGowan, coauthor of the study, comments: “Collating this data on people who die without enough money for their own funeral or without family support is key to understanding those who are left without help at the end of life. Public health funerals are provided for individuals who cannot afford their own funeral, either through their own estate or with support from relatives, so requiring a public health funeral can signify the culmination of various disadvantages. This is evidenced by the finding that Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI) 2019 is a key predictor.

“For local authorities and NHS Trusts managing such funerals, the findings suggest that strategic investment in reducing deprivation and addressing the socio-economic factors leading to public health funerals, particularly among older populations, could lessen both the human and financial costs associated with this issue.

“Further research is needed to project future demand for public health funerals, especially in light of increasing deprivation and kinlessness. Systematic data collection could help provide a clearer understanding of the individuals who require these services. Better coordination of national reporting would ensure that resources are allocated effectively, particularly in areas where demand is expected to rise.”

Read the full report in CPC-CG Report 'Public health funerals in England 2014/15 - 2020/21’

Read the BBC News report 'Are taxpayers funding a cost of dying crisis?'


Contact details

Please contact cpc@soton.ac.uk if you would like to arrange an interview with the study team.

Posted 15/07/2025 06:23