(a) Indigent Cremation Procedure.
(1) Upon finding that the deceased person was a legal resident of the City and an indigent person, the funeral director may request payment from the City to pay for the cremation of the indigent decedent and/or indigent person claiming the body. The funeral director and indigent person claiming the body (if any) must complete an application for payment on a form supplied by the City and submit it to the Law Department.
(2) If an application is complete and the appropriate criteria is met, the City will pay reasonable and necessary costs actually incurred, not to exceed the following amounts:
A. One thousand eight hundred dollars for each adult;
B. One thousand four hundred dollars for each child (ages one to 17); or
C. Nine hundred for each infant (less than one year of age).
(3) The City shall pay for the disposal of the remains of the indigent person by cremation only.
(4) The Finance Director is hereby authorized to pay such expenses, upon certification from the Law Director and receipt of an invoice or bill from the funeral director.
(b) The cremated remains of the indigent person may be released to the indigent person's spouse, blood relative(s), or friend(s) as may be appropriate under the circumstances. If the remains are not claimed within 14 days, the funeral director may dispose of them in any manner they deem appropriate, consistent with applicable law.
(c) Limitations.
(1) If the body of an indigent person is claimed by a person who arranges for a funeral or burial according to their wishes, the City shall not pay the expenses for the funeral or burial.
(2) In the event that it is found after cremation of the indigent person and payment of the expenses by the City, that such indigent person and/or indigent claimant had means, assets, insurance, or other benefits or allowances available for the payment of all or part of such expenses, the City is entitled to reimbursement and may take such action to recover such costs and expenses as may be authorized by law.
(Ord. 2024-020. Passed 5-6-24.)