Properties of the deceased
Bereavement and Protection staff have statutory authorisation to enter a property to ascertain the extent of an estate and to remove any items or assets which may assist in funding a funeral.
Generally, after the funeral costs and administration charges have been deducted, any funds in excess of £500 remaining from a deceased person's estate will be forwarded to the Treasury Solicitor.
The authorisation to enter a property is under the provisions of section 61(1)(d) of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and section 48 of the National Assistance Act 1948.
Coroner involvement
If the Coroner is involved in investigating a death, then the Police should have previously removed any valuables, money, benefit books and official documents whilst undertaking their initial investigations into that person’s death.
Keys to a property
Keys to the deceased's property should not be left with neighbours or any other person but handed either to a Coroner's Officer or a Police Officer.
If it appears that the Bereavement Section will become involved in undertaking the funeral arrangements, keys and any other items removed from the property must be be handed into the Bereavement Office, Millfields Depot, Millfields Road, London, E5 0AR.
Securing a property
The premises where the deceased resided must always be made secure.
In the case of properties rented from the Council's Housing Services, a call to our Housing Options and Advice centre will ensure a temporary secure door to the premises is provided.
More information
For more information about Hackney Council's role in undertaking funerals, please see the main funeral services page.
You can contact Bereavement and Property Protection Services using the details at the top-right corner of this page.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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