County staff to arrange veteran indigent burial after statute cited; commissioners pledge to comply

A physician attending the meeting raised concern that an indigent veteran’s remains were still held by a funeral home and cited a Wyoming statute assigning a county duty to arrange veteran burials. Commissioners and county staff reviewed the county’s handling and agreed to take steps to comply.

The physician told commissioners he had researched state law, saying “there is a statute, Wyoming statute 19 14 1 0 1, and it specifically says that the Board of County Commissioners of the county shall provide the preparation of the body and transmittal to and burial in a veteran's cemetery.” He asked the county to ensure the veteran’s remains were transferred to the veterans cemetery as the statute requires.

County staff explained the county’s longstanding practice for indigent cases: funeral homes retain remains up to one year in case family claims them, and any costs incurred are later paid if claimed. Staff said they had not previously been aware of the specific statute cited and that, after the physician raised it, they reviewed the matter and would “work with Kane Funeral Home to get that taken care of.” The county noted the situation appeared to be an oversight rather than intentional.

Ending: Commissioners instructed staff to arrange the veteran’s burial in accordance with the cited state statute and to follow up with the funeral home.