Chapter 2.74
UNCLAIMED REMAINS

Sections:

2.74.010    Administration.

2.74.020    Definition.

2.74.030    Notification.

2.74.040    Disposition.

2.74.050    Mortuary services.

2.74.060    Burial.

2.74.070    Recoupment of expense.

2.74.080    Retention.

2.74.090    Reimbursement.

2.74.100    Aggrieved parties.

2.74.010 Administration.

The San Juan County coroner shall have the primary responsibility for the administration of this chapter and is charged with jurisdiction over the remains of the deceased persons within San Juan County. (Res. 43-1998 § 1)

2.74.020 Definition.

“Unclaimed remains” are the remains of a person who has died in San Juan County having no known relatives or friends willing to take responsibility, or any unidentified body found in San Juan County. (Res. 43-1998 § 2)

2.74.030 Notification.

Any funeral director in possession of unclaimed remains as defined by this chapter who has provided services for said person shall notify the San Juan County coroner. Upon receipt of such notice the coroner shall confirm that the deceased has no known relatives, and shall further confirm that no religious or fraternal organization, nor any friend or interested party is willing to assume responsibility for disposition of the remains of the deceased. The coroner will sign the death certificate and cremation authorization form. (Res. 43-1998 § 3)

2.74.040 Disposition.

The coroner, after such inquiry as described above, may accept responsibility on behalf of the County for the disposition of unclaimed remains, and shall provide for payment to the funeral director rendering such essential mortuary and cremation services in the amount of $500.00. (Res. 43-1998 § 4)

2.74.050 Mortuary services.

Essential mortuary services shall include removal from the place of death, preparation and care of the decedent for immediate disposition to a suitable container for disposition, preparation and filing of a death certificate and permits, and transportation to the crematorium.

Cremation services shall include cremation, the least expensive water resistant urn and delivery to an appropriate facility. (Res. 43-1998 § 5)

2.74.060 Burial.

The San Juan County coroner and the San Juan County prosecuting attorney are authorized to deviate from this procedure and provide for the burial of unclaimed remains without cremation if circumstances so warrant. In the event of burial, the coroner shall provide for payment up to the amount of $2,000 for each person. (Res. 43-1998 § 6)

2.74.070 Recoupment of expense.

The San Juan County prosecuting attorney is authorized and requested to pursue recoupment of County expense in such cases where such effort appears to be cost effective. (Res. 43-1998 § 7)

2.74.080 Retention.

Unclaimed remains shall be retained by the San Juan County coroner at a County provided facility. A notation shall be made part of the coroner’s file to such person indicating the location of the remains. (Res. 43-1998 § 8)

2.74.090 Reimbursement.

The funeral home shall submit an invoice and a copy of the cremation authorization form request signed by the San Juan County coroner to San Juan County. Claims for reimbursement should be sent to:

San Juan Prosecuting Attorney

350 Court Street, Second Floor

P.O. Box 760

Friday Harbor, WA 98520

(Res. 43-1998 § 9)

2.74.100 Aggrieved parties.

Any person aggrieved by a decision made by the San Juan County coroner to deny payment for the disposition of unclaimed remains pursuant to this chapter shall have a right to petition the San Juan County council for an opportunity to be heard at a regularly scheduled meeting of the council, and the council may, after hearing from the aggrieved party and the coroner, take such further action as it deems fit under the circumstances. (Ord. 42-2007 § 2; Res. 43-1998 § 10)