Clallam County seeks BJA funds to establish county-run morgue for accreditation compliance

Clallam County submitted a pre-application to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance to fund a county-operated morgue and related equipment that staff said are necessary to meet state and national accreditation standards.

County staff explained the county has moved away from relying on the prosecuting attorney's office for related functions and is now subject to a state law requiring accreditation through the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners or the National Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. Staff said the countycannot meet several checklist standards while relying on the current relationship with a local funeral home and therefore needs a county-run facility.

The requested funds would pay for refrigeration and related structures to preserve decedents, equipment to maintain chain of custody, and renovations to a house the county hopes to secure so families can meet with staff. A county representative said the grant application had to be submitted before the board's work session because the deadline had passed; the county does not yet know when it will hear whether the application is successful.

Commissioners asked staff about the submission timeline and were told that some details are held by the applicant and that Rebecca, who assisted with the filing, could provide further timeline specifics. No formal board action or vote was recorded on the pre-application during the work session.