Sec. 16. (a) This section applies to each county having a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000).
(b) For purposes of this section, a body is unclaimed if:
(1) a person cannot be located to take custody of the body; or
(2) there is a person to take custody of the body, but that person cannot or will not assume financial responsibility for disposition of the body.
(c) Except as provided in IC 21-44-2, the coroner may order the burial or cremation of any unclaimed body left in the coroner's custody.
(d) If the deceased died without leaving money or other means necessary to defray the funeral expenses, the coroner may contract with a funeral director licensed under IC 25-15 to dispose of the body. The necessary and reasonable expenses for disposing of the body shall be paid by the county auditor upon the order of the coroner.
As added by P.L.106-1986, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.3-1990, SEC.123; P.L.2-2007, SEC.385.
Structure Indiana Code
Article 2. Government of Counties Generally
36-2-14-1. Application of Chapter
36-2-14-1.5. Child Death Pathologist
36-2-14-2. Residence; Term of Office
36-2-14-3. Commission of Coroner
36-2-14-4. Duties as County Sheriff
36-2-14-5. Service of Warrant for Arrest of County Sheriff; Custody of Jail and Prisoners
36-2-14-5.5. Duties of Child Death Pathologist
36-2-14-7. Examination of Witnesses; Service of Physician; Payment
36-2-14-10. Coroner's Verdict and Report; Autopsy Records; Confidentiality
36-2-14-12.5. Coroner Requests to Hospitals for Blood or Tissue Samples
36-2-14-13. Immunity From Civil Liability; Autopsy
36-2-14-16. Counties Over 400,000 Population; Disposition of Unclaimed Bodies
36-2-14-20. Billing Counties for Costs of Autopsies
36-2-14-22. Providing Climate Controlled Environment
36-2-14-22.1. Coroner Requests to Hospitals for Blood or Tissue Samples
36-2-14-22.3. Training Courses for Coroners and Deputy Coroners
36-2-14-22.4. Organ and Tissue Procurement