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Van Buren County commission votes to solicit bids for county-funded cremations for unclaimed decedents
Summary
Commissioners authorized staff to solicit bids for cremation services after discussion about county responsibility when decedents are unclaimed; they noted the county may place liens to recover costs.
The Van Buren County Commission voted Sept. 2 to solicit bids for cremation services to address cases in which decedents are not claimed by family or friends.
Commissioners said other counties contract for county-paid cremations for unclaimed deceased and that Van Buren County has begun to see such cases. The motion to solicit bids was made by Commissioner Terry Hodges and seconded by Commissioner Terry Hickey; a roll call recorded all members as voting in favor.
During discussion, commissioners and staff described a recent case in which an unclaimed body was held at a Nashville morgue pending autopsy and family arrangements. Commissioners noted the county can pursue recovery of county-paid cremation costs by placing a lien and may also bill for ambulance fees where applicable. County officials said they are soliciting bids to obtain the lowest available price for the county when it must pay for cremations.
The solicitation is a procurement step; no specific vendor was selected at the meeting and no contract award took place. The commission recorded the motion as approved by unanimous vote.
