Disposition of Unclaimed Human Bodies and Remains When the Death Occurs in Hillsborough County
Purpose
To establish a policy governing the disposition of unclaimed human bodies or remains when the individual's death occurs in Hillsborough County.
Policy
- The Board of County Commissioners, which pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 406.52 is the legally authorized person to dispose of unclaimed human bodies and remains, hereby authorizes and directs the County Administrator, to cause the unclaimed remains of each person who has died in Hillsborough County to be disposed of through cremation, except in any of the following circumstances: (i) cremation is prohibited by law or administrative rule or regulation; (ii) the Chief Medical Examiner, or his or her designee, deems it to be in the public's interest to bury or continue cold storage of the unclaimed remains; (iii) a representative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirms the decedent was a veteran qualified for reimbursement of some burial expenses; or (iv) relative(s) of the decedent, or other legally authorized person as defined in Section 497.005 F.S., has taken possession of the decedent's remains, or caused another individual or entity to take possession of the decedent's remains for disposition within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of a written notice from the County of its intent to cremate the decedent's remains.
- Should a relative of the decedent request a preference for burial of the decedent's remains, in order to reasonably accommodate the request, such relative shall be provided with the name of, and contact information for, any known agency that provides assistance with burial expenses. The County Administrator may assist the relative in obtaining burial services using any reasonable manner.
- For purposes of this policy, unclaimed human bodies or remains (collectively, the "remains") shall have the same meaning as found in Florida Statutes, Section 406.50, as amended from time to time and the term "County Administrator" shall include any designee he or she names to act on his/her behalf .
Responsibility
It shall be the responsibility of the County Administrator to adopt such policies and procedures as may be necessary or desirable to implement this policy.