(A) Legislative findings. As an incident to the enactment of this section, the County Council of York County, South Carolina, as the governing body of York County, South Carolina, has made the following legislative findings:
(1) Pauper burials have become increasingly costly, difficult and time consuming for York County and the York County Coroner.
(2) In many instances, the family of deceased paupers has failed to claim the dead body, and the York County Coroner has assumed the responsibility for burial at public expense.
(3) Health problems have arisen from embalming and burying deceased paupers because of the communicability of HIV and hepatitis infections resulting from contact with body fluids.
(4) Based on the foregoing findings, County Council finds that cremation, when approved by the York County Coroner, is the most suitable disposition for the remains of deceased paupers who have no ascertainable family or whose family does not wish to receive and assume responsibility for burial.
(B) Procedure. The bodies of all deceased persons qualifying for pauper burials eligible for funding by York County, as determined by the York County Coroner, who have no ascertainable family or whose family does not wish to receive the remains or assume the cost of burial shall be cremated. Such cremations shall be conducted only with the approval of the York County Coroner pursuant to state law. Cremation shall be conducted only when positive identification of the deceased has been made, or when the York County Coroner has made reasonable efforts to identify the deceased. The cremated remains of a deceased pauper who has no ascertainable family, or whose family does not wish to receive the remains, shall be humanely disposed of pursuant to the provisions of state law.
(Ord. 1604, passed 8-16-04)
Cross-reference:
Coroner’s fees, see § 31.06