What are the procedures for releasing unidentified or unclaimed remains?
A decedent or remains shall not be released to a family until positive identification has been made. This can be a lengthy process particularly when the remains are in a decomposed state. Learn more about the Positive Identification Process. By law all unclaimed decedents or remains are processed by the OCME for public disposition after 30 days. Public disposition refers to the process of either burial or cremation of unclaimed decedents or remains. Unidentified decedents or remains are buried, while those that are identified are cremated.
