Bill creating registry for abandoned ashes of veterans advances in Assembly
NEW JERSEY – Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis’ bill to more easily connect veterans organizations to the unclaimed cremated remains of our nation’s heroes languishing in funeral homes was passed by an Assembly committee on Thursday.
“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. Funeral directors will notify the department by written or electronic communication that they are in possession of unclaimed veteran remains if they are still unable to locate a relative one year after cremation.
“These remains are our nation’s heroes. These brave Americans served in combat, fought for our freedoms, defended our country, and they may have died alone or outlived family, but they have earned the right to be laid to rest with respect and honor,” Matsikoudis added.
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.
Some organizations have claimed hundreds of veterans and given them proper burials in the 25 years since the law was enacted. The ashes they have claimed have been abandoned for nearly 30 years on average, but there have been remains of service members that are more than 100 years old.