The unclaimed dead

[Shaker]

Interesting BBC article on the unknown/unnamed dead and what happens to them:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34737343

[Nearly Sane]

Interesting BBC article on the unknown/unnamed dead and what happens to them:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34737343

It is an odd mix of sadness that people can just seemingly have so little support, and hope in that there are people who make the effort so that we can say 'Attention has been paid.'

[Shaker]

It is an odd mix of sadness that people can just seemingly have so little support, and hope in that there are people who make the effort so that we can say 'Attention has been paid.'

Years ago I used to watch A Life of Grime and was always very touched by the stories of people who had died alone in their flat, ostensibly without friends or family (traceable ones at any rate). As well as the undertaker and a couple of others somebody from the council would find time to attend the funeral which was always tiny, just so that it could be said that nobody is cremated without somebody there to spare a thought for them. It's a kind thing to do - it's just a crying shame that we can't put more resources into providing company and security for people (maybe with drug problems or mental illness) while they're still here.

[Rhiannon]

Years ago I used to watch A Life of Grime and was always very touched by the stories of people who had died alone in their flat, ostensibly without friends or family (traceable ones at any rate). As well as the undertaker and a couple of others somebody from the council would find time to attend the funeral which was always tiny, just so that it could be said that nobody is cremated without somebody there to spare a thought for them. It's a kind thing to do - it's just a crying shame that we can't put more resources into providing company and security for people (maybe with drug problems or mental illness) while they're still here.

I remember watching that too. The saddest thing was that the rules at the time were that everything the person owned had to be crushed to avoid accusations of theft against council employees. I remember one where an old lady had died leaving a pristine bungalow - everything went - photo albums, cat ornaments, pictures, and of course perfectly serviceable furniture that other people were crying out for. It was so sad, and the refuse guy could barely contain his anger and frustration at what he had to do.