THE number of paupers’ funerals which take place in Cornwall at the cost of the taxpayer has more than doubled.

Figures released by Cornwall Council show that in 2017/18 there were 77 funerals organised by the authority and in 2016/17 there were 81. The previous year there had been 54 and in the years prior the numbers were 39 and 34.

The funerals are arranged by the council when someone dies without money to cover their costs and/or no next of kin can be located.

Numbers for the current year show that from April 2018 to September 2018 there were 28 funerals organised by the council. All of them were by cremation.

Details are also published about the people who are having to have their funerals carried out by Cornwall Council.

Of those given funerals in 2018 the figures show that 20 of them were men who ranged in age from 33 to 101.

The reasons for them being referred to the council for a funeral are also provided and include not having enough money and having no next of kin. In the details of those given funerals in 2017/18 two were due to being estranged from their families.

The figures have been revealed following the reports earlier this month of Tom Kitto, of Praze-an-Beeble, who had his funeral paid for by people in the village to prevent him having a pauper’s funeral.

Local authorities have a legal duty to arrange funerals when there are no suitable arrangements being made or in place for the disposal of the body.

The law allows Cornwall Council to recover the cost of a funeral from the estate of the deceased. It then passes the details of the estate to the Duchy of Cornwall.

Cornwall Council states on its website that a public health funeral costs £4,960. The council provides a basic service which includes a basic coffin, fee for the cremation or burial, one suitable vehicle to transport the deceased and a basic service at the crematorium.

A public health funeral will not include flowers, a church service, music choices, opportunity for eulogies, the release of ashes (which are scattered at the crematorium), a gravestone, a vicar or minister for the service, viewing of the deceased, a choice of times for when the service is held.

Details of those who have had public health funerals in 2018/19:

Male, 87, insufficient funds

Female, 101, no funds

Male, 87, no next of kin

Male, 49, next of kin unknown

Female, 48, next of kin no funds

Male, 68, no funds and no next of kin

Male, 55, no next of kin

Female, 58, no next of kin

Male, 65, insufficient funds

Male, 71, no next of kin

Female, 75, no next of kin

Male, 33, insufficient funds

Female, 62, no funds

Male, 73, no next of kin

Male, 64, no next of kin contactable

Male, 62, no funds

Male, 51, no funds

Male, 56, insufficient funds and no next of kin

Female, 74, no next of kin

Male, 79, no next of kin

Male, 73, next of kin no funds

Female, 71, no next of kin identified

Male, 81, no next of kin

Male, 75, no funds, next of kin not prepared to deal

Female, 76, next of kin abroad and unable to undertake

Male, 53, insufficient funds

Male, 47, no funds

Male, 60, no funds.