06/06/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA,. AGENDA ITEM Assistant County Administrator / Department of General Services Date: May 24, 2023 To: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners Thru: John A. Titkanich, County Administrator Michael Zito, Assistant County Administrator From: Leigh Anne Uribe, Human Services Program Coordinator Subject: Review and Update to Administrative Policy 908.1, "Indian River County Disposal of Indigent Bodies (Burial and Cremation)" BACKGROUND: Per Florida law, all counties are charged with the burial of unclaimed or indigent bodies at the county's expense. The County is responsible for burying a decedent when the next of kin refuse to claim the body and are not legally responsible for the burial of the decedent. The term "indigent" refers to a person who does not have sufficient property or assets to provide for burial. The law was enacted to ensure that unclaimed or indigent bodies are properly disposed of for public health purposes. On November 22, 2011, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners adopted Administrative Policy 908.1, Indian River County Disposal of Indigent Bodies (Burial and Cremation), to adhere to the requirements of Chapter 406 of the Florida Statute and provide dignified burial or cremation for persons who are indigent or unclaimed. Except where prohibited by law or regulation, or where a relative has expressed a preference for burial, such service is provided through the use of cremation. The coordination of burial and cremation services is handled through the Human Services Division wherein staff maintains internal operational procedures for implementation of this administrative policy and for working with funeral homes. Over recent years the County has received various requests from participating funeral homes to update the existing policy in order to accurately reflect the current cost incurred by the funeral homes in providing cremation services. Presently, there are four local funeral homes who work on a rotation schedule in coordination with the Human Services Division. A survey of these funeral homes revealed that a direct, or simple, cremation ranges from $1,040 to $2,280 with an average cost of $1,767.25. A direct cremation is the minimal service option available that includes: removal of the decedent, transport to the crematory, the cremation, a basic urn, and no funeral service. 46