NEW JERSEY – Abandoned at funeral homes, the unclaimed cremated remains of veterans, their spouses and children, would be entered into a state database under a bill passed by the Assembly on Thursday.
The measure, sponsored by Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, makes it easier for veterans organizations to provide proper burials for veterans and certain family members.
“Anyone who signed up to serve our country deserves dignity in death and a proper resting place,” Matsikoudis (R-Union) said. “There are several veterans organizations that have taken it upon themselves to identify our veterans abandoned on the shelves of funeral homes after funeral directors diligently attempted to connect with the family of the fallen. This legislation is in deference to them and will streamline their valiant efforts.”
The bill (A1131) requires the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create and maintain an internet-based registry that includes the location and identity of unclaimed veterans’ ashes, and spouses and dependents of veterans. Funeral directors would notify the department by written or electronic communication that they are in possession of unclaimed remains if they are still unable to locate a relative one year after cremation.
“These remains are our nation’s heroes and their loved ones. They may have died alone or outlived family, but they have earned the right to be laid to rest with respect and honor,” Matsikoudis said.
A 2009 law granted funeral directors the ability to give veterans organizations the ashes of a veteran if they have gone unclaimed for at least a year. Most ashes claimed by the organizations have been abandoned for about 30 years, but there have been remains of service members that are more than 100 years old.
