Does the state of MISSOURI provide funeral/burial for destitute or indigent persons?
Answer Hello – The disposition of indigent persons is usually handled by the county or state program. I am not able to tell you specifically how Missouri handles the funeral/disposition. In my experience, when the county coroner’s office is unable to identify a body that has been found, the Public Administrator steps in to help with identification and missing records reports. Once the identity is found an intensive search continues to locate family members. If any family members exist then the responsibility is passed on to them. This procedure does take time and if there is no success after a duration, it could be 30 days they proceed with a disposition. The disposition is usually a cremation and then the ashes placed in a crypt or a burial in a section of a local cemetery. The county or state may have contracts in place with the local cemetery and crematory for these purposes.
