Pauper's funeral

This article refers to funerals under the English Poor Laws. For modern usage see Public health funeral.

In the United Kingdom, a pauper's funeral was a funeral for a pauper paid for under the Poor Law. This policy addressed the condition of the poor people of Britain, such as those living in the workhouses, where a growing population of the British ended their days from the 1850s to the 1860s.[1] This period saw between 32 and 48 percent increase in the proportion of the elderly and the sick paupers in these institutions.[1] An account described how poor people could not avail themselves of the funeral relief until they entered the workhouse.[2]

The common law right of the dead to a dignified burial was first recognized in England in the 1840 case Rex v. Stewart, 12 AD. & E. 773.[3]

  1. ^ a b Grell, Ole Peter; Cunningham, Andrew (2017). Health Care and Poor Relief in 18th and 19th Century Northern Europe. Oxon: Routledge. p. 227. ISBN 978-0754602750.
  2. ^ King, Steven; Jones, Peter (2015). Obligation, Entitlement and Dispute under the English Poor Laws. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 312. ISBN 9781443880770.
  3. ^ Casner, A.J. et al. Cases and Text on Property, Fifth Edition. Aspen Publishers, New York, NY: 2004, p. 286