--- title: "GB-Watford: Public Health Funerals" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL" published: "2025-02-18" --- # GB-Watford: Public Health Funerals Buyer: WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a.json) ## Summary Watford Borough Council is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from funeral operator services for the provision of public health funerals in Hertfordshire. This procurement falls under the "Funeral and related services" category (CPV 98370000) and is located in the East of England. The procurement process is currently at the tender stage, with the tender period ending on 4th March 2025 at 10:00 AM. The contract, which will commence on 1st June 2025, has an estimated value of £500,000 and will run until 1st June 2029. The contract is accessible via a selective procurement method and is specifically identified as beneficial for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the funeral services sector, especially those capable of delivering cost-efficient and dignified funerals under statutory obligations. SMEs and VCSEs are particularly well-suited to compete for this contract due to the nature of the services required, which include the collection of bodies, provision of simple coffins and hearse services, and organization of funerals at local crematoria or cemeteries. Engaging in this contract can offer stable, long-term business growth while providing a crucial public service to the community. Interested parties should review and return the completed EOI to express their interest in providing these essential services. ## Notice The purpose of this expression of interest (EOI) is to identify a Funeral operator service to provide public health service funerals on behalf of Hertfordshire District Councils. Broadly speaking the responsibility for providing funerals for individuals who pass away without any next of kin and/or adequate funds, is shared between the local council and the local hospital. More often than not referrals are made to the Council via the Coroners office and the arrangements are made for the body to be collected by a funeral director whilst a funeral is organised. The aim is to preserve the best standard of public health and hygiene in the most cost efficient manner whilst meeting the statutory obligations of this duty. The provisions of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 states: "It shall be the duty of a local authority [i.e. district council] to cause to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has died or been found dead in their area, in any case where it appears to the local authority that no suitable arrangements have been or are being made otherwise than by the authority." Section 46 (1) In brief the service required will consist of: 1.Collection of body from mortuary / coroner / property; 2.The provision of a simple coffin and gown; 3.Provision of Hearse and attendants to conduct the funeral; 4.A simple funeral at the nearest suitable and available Crematoria or cemetery within Hertfordshire 5.All necessary documentation / paperwork. The requirement for this service cannot be quantified in detail but for information the number of Council Tax borne public health burials undertaken by Watford Borough Council in 2023/24 was 7 funerals with a total costs of PS10,787. All 7 public health funerals were cremations. Other Districts may or may not have a similar profile of use and numbers may vary from year to year. Funeral arrangements are made on an ad-hoc basis. This contract is open to all Hertfordshire District Councils but some may choose not to use the contract and make their own arrangements. This contract requirement is seen as a light touch service contract. Please review and complete the EOI attached to this notice and return if you are interested in providing this service. The current contract expires in June 2025. Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7476af06-b691-4bef-b202-7a027e356b8e | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Restricted procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 18 Feb 2025 | | Submission deadline | 4 Mar 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 May 2025 - 1 Jun 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £500,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL | | Locality | WATFORD | | Post town | Watford | | Postcode | WD17 3EX | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLH27 South West Hertfordshire | | Local authority | Watford | | Electoral ward | Park | | Westminster constituency | Watford | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 98 - Other community, social and personal services ### Codes - 98370000 - Funeral and related services - 98371000 - Funeral services ## Release History - 18 Feb 2025 at 15:35 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7476af06-b691-4bef-b202-7a027e356b8e ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7476af06-b691-4bef-b202-7a027e356b8e 18th February 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-GB-Watford:-Public-Health-Funerals/HWSWKH89G9 Please follow this link to view the notice. ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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