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Public Health Funerals - Supplier Information Session

Ipswich Borough Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Sep 2026 at 14:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ipswich Borough Council is preparing a public health funeral service for people who have died where no other person is willing or able to arrange a funeral. The service will normally involve direct cremation, with burial or an alternative arrangement where the deceased’s faith or written instructions require it. The provider will collect and transport deceased people, provide suitable storage and care, complete statutory paperwork, liaise with relevant agencies and the Council’s Bereavement Services, supply a coffin, and attend burials and cremations. Work will be centred on Ipswich, including Ipswich Cemetery and Crematorium. The required journey from collection to the cemetery or crematorium must be achievable within 30 minutes in normal circumstances. The service category is funeral and related services (CPV 98370000).

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Council has announced its intention to procure and is consulting suppliers before formally inviting tenders. A supplier information and support session is planned for 27 October 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30, at Grafton House in Ipswich. Suppliers wishing to attend are expected to register by 12 noon on 20 October 2026, giving their organisation, attendee names and a contact email address. The Council expects the future contract to start on 1 February 2027 for an initial 24 months, with an option to extend for a further 24 months, ending by 31 January 2031 if fully extended. The estimated value is £80,000 excluding VAT (£96,000 including VAT) over four years. It is one lot, suitable for SMEs, and below threshold.

This will suit established funeral directors and funeral service providers able to deliver a dignified, respectful and professional public service at short notice. Suppliers will need operational capacity for around 20 to 30 funerals a year, including direct cremations and occasional burials, together with secure and appropriate storage, suitable vehicles and coffins. The successful provider will need suitably trained staff to support collection, care, burial and cremation arrangements, and the administrative capability to complete statutory documentation and coordinate with public bodies and other agencies. Local providers or firms with reliable access to Ipswich Cemetery and Crematorium are likely to be well placed because the 30-minute maximum journey requirement is expected to be important in evaluation. The support session offers an opportunity to understand the specification and prepare for the later tender.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Public Health Funerals - Supplier Information Session

Notice Description

Public Health Funerals- Supplier Information and Support Session 1. Purpose Ipswich Borough Council is inviting funeral directors and funeral service providers to attend a Supplier Information and Support Session relating to the forthcoming procurement of Public Health Funeral Services. This supplier information and support session is intended to: * Raise awareness of the forthcoming tender opportunity, * Provide an overview of the Public Health Funeral Services requirements, * Explain the procurement process and anticipated timetable (where possible), * Support suppliers in understanding how to participate in the tender process, * Provide an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions regarding the forthcoming procurement. Attendance at the supplier information and support session does not form part of the tender evaluation process and is not a requirement for participation in the future procurement opportunity. 2. Background Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, Ipswich Borough Council has a statutory responsibility to arrange a dignified and respectful funeral where no other person is willing or able to make funeral arrangements. The Council currently arranges approximately 20 to 30 Public Health Funerals each year. Public Health Funerals are generally direct cremations unless: * The deceased is known to belong to a faith that prohibits cremation; or * The deceased has left written instructions requesting burial. The anticipated contract period is expected to be: * An initial term of 24 months with an option to extend for a further 24 months * The estimated value of the contract is anticipated to be in the region of PS80,000 over the maximum four-year term. This figure is provided for information only and does not constitute a commitment by the Council. 3. Nature of Requirement The successful provider must be able to collect and convey the deceased to Ipswich Cemetery and Crematorium within a maximum journey time of 30 minutes under normal circumstances. Suppliers should carefully consider this requirement, as compliance with the requirement will form a key part of the tender evaluation process. The service is expected to include: * Collection and transportation of deceased persons, * Appropriate storage and care of the deceased, * Completion of statutory documentation and liaison with relevant agencies, * Provision of a suitable coffin for burial or cremation, * Liaison with Ipswich Borough Council Bereavement Services, * Attendance of suitably trained staff to facilitate burials and cremations, * Delivery of all services with dignity, professionalism and respect. 4. Supplier Support Open Morning Ipswich Borough Council will be hosting a supplier information and support session for local funeral directors and interested providers. The session is intended to: * Overview of Public Health Funeral Services * Details of the Council's requirements/specifications * Information about the proposed procurement process * Guidance on participating in public sector opportunities * An opportunity to ask questions regarding the service requirements and procurement process. Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026 Time: 10:00am to 11:30am (90 minutes) Venue: Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House Orwell Room, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE. Parking arrangements: You will be able to park at the far rear of the car park behind Grafton House. Please drive through the barrier and continue straight ahead, passing the wooden fence. The Facilities Team is aware that this meeting is taking place and has approved these parking arrangements. Suppliers wishing to attend the Supplier Information and Support Session must register their interest by 12 noon on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Registration requests should be submitted by email to procurement@ipswich.gov.uk and include the organisation name, attendee name(s), and a contact email address. Next Steps Following the Supplier Information and Support Session, the procurement opportunity will be formally advertised via the Suffolk Sourcing Portal. Suppliers interested in providing the service will be invited to submit a tender in accordance with the published procurement timetable and guidance.

Planning Information

Public Health Funerals - Supplier Information and Support Session 1. Purpose Ipswich Borough Council is inviting funeral directors and funeral service providers to attend a Supplier Information and Support Session relating to the forthcoming procurement of Public Health Funeral Services. This supplier information and support session is intended to: • Raise awareness of the forthcoming tender opportunity, • Provide an overview of the Public Health Funeral Services requirements, • Explain the procurement process and anticipated timetable (where possible), • Support suppliers in understanding how to participate in the tender process, • Provide an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions regarding the forthcoming procurement. Attendance at the supplier information and support session does not form part of the tender evaluation process and is not a requirement for participation in the future procurement opportunity. 2. Background Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, Ipswich Borough Council has a statutory responsibility to arrange a dignified and respectful funeral where no other person is willing or able to make funeral arrangements. The Council currently arranges approximately 20 to 30 Public Health Funerals each year. Public Health Funerals are generally direct cremations unless: • The deceased is known to belong to a faith that prohibits cremation; or • The deceased has left written instructions requesting burial. The anticipated contract period is expected to be: • An initial term of 24 months with an option to extend for a further 24 months • The estimated value of the contract is anticipated to be in the region of £80,000 over the maximum four-year term. This figure is provided for information only and does not constitute a commitment by the Council. 3. Nature of Requirement The successful provider must be able to collect and convey the deceased to Ipswich Cemetery and Crematorium within a maximum journey time of 30 minutes under normal circumstances. Suppliers should carefully consider this requirement, as compliance with the requirement will form a key part of the tender evaluation process. The service is expected to include: • Collection and transportation of deceased persons, • Appropriate storage and care of the deceased, • Completion of statutory documentation and liaison with relevant agencies, • Provision of a suitable coffin for burial or cremation, • Liaison with Ipswich Borough Council Bereavement Services, • Attendance of suitably trained staff to facilitate burials and cremations, • Delivery of all services with dignity, professionalism and respect. 4. Supplier Support Open Morning Ipswich Borough Council will be hosting a supplier information and support session for local funeral directors and interested providers. The session is intended to: • Overview of Public Health Funeral Services • Details of the Council's requirements/specifications • Information about the proposed procurement process • Guidance on participating in public sector opportunities • An opportunity to ask questions regarding the service requirements and procurement process. Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026 Time: 10:00am to 11:30am (90 minutes) Venue: Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House Orwell Room, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE. Parking arrangements: You will be able to park at the far rear of the car park behind Grafton House. Please drive through the barrier and continue straight ahead, passing the wooden fence. The Facilities Team is aware that this meeting is taking place and has approved these parking arrangements. Suppliers wishing to attend the Supplier Information and Support Session must register their interest by 12 noon on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Registration requests should be submitted by email to procurement@ipswich.gov.uk and include the organisation name, attendee name(s), and a contact email address. Next Steps Following the Supplier Information and Support Session, the procurement opportunity will be formally advertised via the Suffolk Sourcing Portal. Suppliers interested in providing the service will be invited to submit a tender in accordance with the published procurement timetable and guidance.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077696
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089227-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

98370000 - Funeral and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ipswich Borough Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2DE
Postcode Area
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH1 East Anglia
Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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