No Next Of Kin -

I recently contacted my local council to ask what happens to people who die with no next of kin. The woman who replied sounded a bit concerned and insisted on having my phone number so she could call me. I reassured her that I was okay and that I was just genuinely curious about what would happen to my body in that situation. We ended up speaking, and she also followed up with the response below.

When someone dies in the borough of (your) City Council and it appears that there is no one undertaking arrangements for their burial or cremation it is the duty of the council to undertake those arrangements as laid out in the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 S.46.
It is important that in the first instance we establish that there is in fact no one who is able or willing to make cremation or burial arrangements. We do this by trying to find and locate family and speaking to friends. We are limited by what information the person who has died has left behind. Sometimes we find address books, wills, funeral plans, birth certificates and other times people have no personal belongings and all we know about them is their name and date of birth. They may have an estate or absolutely nothing.
If a person has indicated that they wished to be buried by writing it in a will, having funeral plan in place, by purchasing a burial plot or by being an active member of a religion that buries their dead. Then a burial in their burial plot of a common grave will be carried out. For example a gentleman who died last year had a will and a burial plot in a another part of the UK so we facilitated his wishes outlined in his will as he had funds to pay for it.
We could not bury someone without a very clear indication (usually written proof) that it was their wishes. For example we could not arrange a burial just because their friend says that is what they wanted.
With regard to the scattering of ashes. It is unusual to know a persons wishes with regard to their ashes. If it is written in their will we would expect the executor or beneficiaries to carry out those wishes. Ashes are normally released to next of kin and only scattered in the memorial gardens with their agreement or when there is no one likely to come forward. At our discretion scattering ashes with the ashes of loved ones or pets in the memorial gardens maybe possible. We would not be able to facilitate the scattering of ashes at other sites, where there are no family or friends to undertake this.

I imagine different councils handle the no next of kin situation in their own way, so you could always contact yours with the same question to see how they’d approach it.

No Next Of Kin: Planning For The End When You’re On Your Own

There’s a quiet kind of life that doesn’t get talked about much – the kind where you have no next of kin. No partner, no children, no siblings or parents, and no close friends who would be listed on an emergency contact form. It’s more common than people think, but still largely invisible. And when it comes to death planning, society doesn’t really know what to do with people who don’t come with a built in support system.

One example of this is that quite often, I can’t fill in an online form until I name a next of kin, and because I can’t, I can’t finish the form. The form creators just assume everyone has someone in their lives.

We’re taught to assume there’s always someone – someone to be notified, someone to handle the arrangements, someone to carry out your wishes. But what happens when there isn’t?

This post is for the people living with no next of kin – especially those of us who are solitary, estranged, or managing long term mental health conditions like Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD), and want to prepare for the end of life with some measure of dignity, even if nobody’s there to carry the torch.

What Actually Happens When You Die And No One’s There?

If you die with no next of kin, and no clear instructions left behind, the responsibility for handling your remains typically falls to your local authority or council. This is sometimes called a public health funeral or a pauper’s funeral. It’s not as Dickensian as it sounds, but it is minimal.

The council will:

Secure and search your property for any documents, ID, or evidence of assets.
Try to locate any family or connections (sometimes even distant ones).
If no one is found, they will arrange a basic cremation or burial, usually without a ceremony.
Any money or property you own may be taken by the government under a law called Bona Vacantia, if no will exists.

This process is functional but impersonal. If you’d rather have more control over what happens – whether that’s being cremated, choosing your music, or donating to a cause you care about, you need to make plans.

Have diaries you don’t like the idea of being dumped in a skip? Think about donating them.

Step 1: Write A Will (Even If You Think You Don’t Need One)

Yes, you can write a legal will even if you have no next of kin. Your will tells the world what to do with your body, your belongings, your companion animals, and your digital accounts when you die.

Here’s the problem: if you don’t appoint someone (called an executor) to carry out your will, it may not be found or followed. So what do you do when you have no one to name?

Options:

Solicitor as Executor: Some law firms will agree to act as your executor (for a fee taken from your estate). Speak to them directly and make sure it’s in writing.

Charities: Certain charities offer executor services in exchange for a donation in your will.

Professional Executor Services: These exist, and are designed specifically for people with no personal connections. Costs vary.

Notify Your GP or Housing Provider: Leave a note somewhere obvious stating that your will is held with a solicitor, including the solicitor’s name and contact details.

Without someone to inform your solicitor of your death, it’s wise to make that information as easy to find as possible – clearly labeled and in plain sight.

Of course, the problem is, when you are completely alone, who is going to notice you’re even gone!

Step 2: Put Your Wishes In Plain View

If you have no next of kin, the only way to make your wishes known is to write them down and make them findable.

Keep a folder labeled “In Case of Death” near your front door or with other important documents.

Include:

A copy of your will
Funeral preferences
Pet care instructions
Who to notify (e.g. a solicitor or executor service)
List of online accounts and passwords if you are feeling extra organised, although I’m personally not going to bother with that

Without this, even if you had preferences or instructions, they may be missed.

Step 3: Think About Your Funeral

If you don’t want a council arranged cremation with no service, you can pre plan your own funeral. You don’t need to pay upfront, but you can write out your preferences:

Burial or cremation?
Do you want your ashes scattered somewhere meaningful?
Is there music or poetry you’d like included?
Would you prefer a green or eco-friendly burial?

You can write all this down and keep it with your will. Some people even draft a letter or short message to be read at their service, just in case someone does show up.

Step 4: Make Companion Animal Plans

If you live with animals and have no next of kin, it’s so important to have a plan for their care.

Leave written instructions with your vet and in your home.

You can register with a charity rehoming scheme (like the RSPCA Home for Life or Cats Protection’s Cat Guardians) but in my view, they are running more of a business, so I have it written down that I’d like my cats to go to a particular local animal charity/sanctuary. I have a list of their likes and dislikes, too. Battersea is also a good choice.

Step 5: Consider Pre-Paying (If You Can)

If you can afford it, pre-paying for your funeral can ensure your wishes are followed even if no one is there to speak for you. Some funeral directors offer plans where you pay now, and the arrangements are made later, no matter who is (or isn’t) left behind.

A Note On Loneliness And Value

Living with no next of kin doesn’t mean you’re unimportant. It just means you’ve lived differently. Maybe you had to choose distance to protect yourself. Maybe connection never came easily, or it came with strings you couldn’t afford to pull.

It’s not your fault that you’re alone in this way.

What is in your power is to reclaim some of the narrative. To say: Even if I leave quietly, I still mattered. I still get to decide what happens next.

In Summary: Your Solo Planning Checklist

✅ Write a legally valid will
✅ Name an executor (solicitor, charity, or professional service)
✅ Leave clear instructions in a findable place
✅ Make funeral wishes known (even if minimal)
✅ Arrange pet care in writing
✅ Think about pre-paying for arrangements if possible
✅ Don’t assume someone else will “figure it out” – write it down

We Still Deserve Dignity

Having no next of kin doesn’t make you a burden. It doesn’t mean your life is less worthy of respect, memory, or care. It’s also ok I think, not to give a fig about what happens to your body after you’re gone.

I personally want to be cremated and my ashes scattered along with my cat’s. I have five cat urns so far and I’ve kept them for that purpose.

I’d like to be scattered at an animal sanctuary or in some kind of beauty spot.

It’s your life (and death) to control. Make sure you go out on your terms – quietly, perhaps, but with no surprises. 😎

A Lifestyle Blog for the Socially Avoidant