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Administrative Policy Manual) SECTION: Miscellaneous I NUMBER: 908.1 * * SUBJECT: Indian River County Indigent Cremation POLICY: It is the policy of Indian River County to adhere to the requirements of Chapter 406 of the Florida Statutes and provide dignified cremation to Indian River County indigent residents or unclaimed bodies. Such service shall be through the use of cremation except where prohibited by law or regulation; or where a relative has expressed a preference for burial. The coordination of cremation services shall be handled through the Indian River County Human Services Division. COMMENT: 1. Human Services Division shall make reasonable efforts to locate any of the decedent's relatives and a diligent search will be made to identify assets of the deceased to pay for costs associated with the final disposition of the body. Unless waived by the Human Services Manager or designee, only the bodies of persons who die in Indian River County shall be considered to be the responsibility of Indian River County. 2. Unless otherwise directed by the Medical Examiner's Office, all bodies, except for those unidentified, will be cremated. In the absence of a family member, relative or other designee of the deceased, the County Administrator or designee is authorized to sign the approval for cremation. Should relatives of the deceased oppose cremation, they will be allowed to pay the funeral home directly for the additional cost incurred. The County cost will be limited to the payment equivalent for cremation. 3. This policy shall limit the amour : financial support that Indian River County will contribute towards cremation. The amount shall not exceed $750.00 for cremation. The liability to Indian River County to underwrite such expenses shall only be afforded to those individuals who were determined to be indigent with no funds available to cover the cremation. Indian River County Human Services Division will verify eligibility for such County contribution. 4. The Human Services Division will maintain internal operational procedures for implementation of this administrative policy and for working with funeral homes, the community, other Indian River County departments, state agencies, and other interested parties. A. Medical Examiner's Office: The Medical Examiner's Office will refer unclaimed bodies to the designated funeral home according to the procedures established with the Human Services Manager. B. Oversight and Records: The Human Services Manager will provide oversight for the fiscal management, operational activities, and program records. C. State Anatomical Board: Unclaimed bodies meeting the requirements of the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida shall be offered to the Anatomical board as required by Chapter 406, Florida Statutes, and will become the responsibility of the State Anatomical Board for disposition. 85