What happens to your body if you don't have anyone to bury you when you die?

Question

Does the state bury you? Do they cremate you? Do you get donated to science?

Answer 1

This is usually a responsibility of the local government (city, town or county). At least, when we lived in the Chicago area it was.

When the unclaimed body is recovered, and an autopsy shows it will not be required as evidence, the relevant information is recorded and it is buried in a publicly maintained cemetery (depending on the locality, they may have a clergyman recite before the burial). The grave site is maintained with some sort of accounting number, so that later if someone has come forward they can claim the body, it can be exhumed and taken to the family plot, or family funeral home, etc.

This is often used in the case of runaways, or homeless or people who have become badly addicted to something and have dropped out of society.

Answer 2

Each state probably has its own laws regarding this issue, but I have known bodies to remain in the morgue for months while research is done to locate family members. That's not always the case however; because morgues are full of bodies, waiting for transport, waiting for autopsies, etc. If you have no family and a period of time has been designated to try and locate, your body can be used for science, or buried in "potters field", the name they give to state supported cemetaries for the unknown, or folks who don't have families. ( I know that long term inmates have often been buried in potters field) It would behoove anyone in this position to make sure they have information on their person at all times declaring what they want done in such a case as this. You should have a will. They are not hard to create, but it does provide authorities, etc. information on what to do with you.

Answer 3

I think here in Australia they cremate you and scatter your ashes somewhere nice. But sometimes people are dodgy and you might get donated to science. Get a will though! Your life insurance or saving may help you to get buried if you want it that way.....or any other way for that matter!

Answer 4

The state cremates you. I don't think they bury you though.

Answer 5

If there is no next of kin, the state steps in to payto have you cremated. They go the cheapest way, unless you have already planned out and paid for your funeral, then they finish the rest, otherwise....it's cremation.

Answer 6

"Potters FIeld." You're buried without a namestone, at taxpayer expense. Used to be you could opt to donate your body to science, but they don't even do that any more. I'm just going to toddle off into the woods and let nature take it's course.

Answer 7

depends on the individual state actually.. Some would consider donating it to science after a period of time of which it has gone unclaimed, whilst other would harvest certain parts say, the bones for research...still others would avoid all controversy and incinerate the body after it has been a long time gone unclaimed...

Answer 8

you get placed in a pine box with about 300 other ppl with the same problem and the govt. buries you in an unmarked grave in one of their reserved plots especially for that....probably costs them about 50 - 238 dollars per person...

Answer 9

In most states, the remains are buried in a "paupers grave".

Answer 10

I think that it is cremated.