A team of volunteers could be put on standby to attend funerals if it is feared nobody else will turn up.
Three funerals were organised by Torfaen council last year for people who had died without any next of kin being identified.
Nick Horler, independent councillor for Blaenavon, put forward the idea of having volunteers, at the suggestion of a resident, and the proposal was unanimously backed by the full council.
He said the resident pointed out that, while organisations such as the Royal British Legion would attend services of veterans, they would like to think "it could be done for everyone".