Pauper's funeral

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

In the UK, a pauper's funeral was a funeral for a pauper paid for under the poor law.

The phrase is still sometimes used, both in the UK and some Commonwealth countries, to describe a public health funeral (or equivalent service outside the UK): a basic burial paid for by the local authority when funeral arrangements cannot (or will not) be made by the family of the deceased.

See also

• Potter's field

References