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Richmond County adopts resolution setting claiming fees and conditioning death-certificate release on payment
Summary
Richmond County’s May 5 packet included and the board adopted a detailed resolution setting timeframes and requirements for claiming unclaimed human remains, establishing a nonrefundable claiming fee and stating that certified death certificates will not be released until fees are paid or a payment plan is in place.
The Richmond County Department of Social Services presented and the packet contains a county resolution addressing the management, claiming and disposition of unclaimed human remains in DSS custody.
The resolution defines a Primary Claiming Period (365 days) during which immediate family members have priority to claim remains and a Secondary Claiming Period (days 366–730) when extended family, friends, veterans’ organizations or community groups may claim remains if they can take financial and logistical responsibility. The resolution also establishes a non-refundable administrative and custodial "Claiming Fee" for release and allows the county to offer formal payment plans for those with financial hardship.
The resolution further states that the county will not release certified copies of a decedent’s death certificate prior to full payment: "To prevent the circumvention of the payment obligation, no certified copies of the Death Certificate will be released, provided, or administered to any party... prior to the full and complete payment(s) to DSS," while allowing a limited exception to provide certificates directly to a contracted funeral home after a payment-plan agreement is executed.
The resolution declares the State, acting through DSS, to be the legal custodian of unclaimed remains while in its possession and authorizes county-arranged "dignified, direct disposition" — typically burial — if remains remain unclaimed after two years. It also permits DSS to publish notices of unclaimed remains in local newspapers and on county social media to help notify potential claimants.
Theresa Smith, Director of Social Services, presented the item to the board. The packet includes the resolution text and shows adopted language dated May 5, 2026. The transcript excerpts do not record extended public comment on this item in the provided segments.
The resolution’s provisions on withholding death certificates until payment and on the county’s custodial ownership of unclaimed remains are likely to raise questions about access to vital records, the mechanics of payment plans, and the administrative fee amount and waiver policies; the packet text allows DSS to consider payment-plan exceptions and expressly authorizes publication of notices to locate claimants.
The packet lists the resolution as adopted on May 5, 2026 with Chairman Jeff Smart’s signature line and the Clerk’s attestation.
