Bradford Council has organised at least 35 ‘pauper’s funerals’ this year, the authority has revealed.

The Council paid out an average of £947 for each of the burials or cremations, held for people whose relatives were unable or unwilling to pay, or who could not be traced.

The majority of cases were referred by the coroner’s court, private care homes and members of the public with the authority footing the bill for the coffin, hearse, removal to a private chapel, crematorium fees and church or ministry fees.

Hilary Fisher, director of the Dying Matters coalition, which is running a campaign to reduce the number of people dying alone around Christmas, said: “It’s so important if you are going to live your life well to plan all the way up to your death. It’s important not to leave a mess behind for your relatives and loved ones.

“We need to talk to people around us more about dying. It’s all about the Big Society, and being there helping our neighbours, particularly around Christmas.

“Any pauper’s grave is a shocking indictment on our society. One of the most important things is to break this taboo, that way we will get the death we want.”

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “Public health burials, commonly known as ‘pauper’s funerals’, cost the council an average of £947. Costs can vary depending on doctor’s fees and other charges.

“The law obliges the Council to provide burial or cremation where it appears no suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body have or are being made.

“The Council is entitled to claim any assets to cover the funeral expenses from the dead person’s estate and, except in a small number of cases, this is achieved.”

The Local Government Association’s Public Health Funerals Survey 2010 found around 2,200 people were buried or cremated by councils in England and Wales last year.