NEW JERSEY – Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado that would require funeral directors to report possession of unclaimed veteran cremains was advanced today by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“I am proud that this legislation was approved by committee today. All veterans deserve to be laid to rest with dignity,” said Corrado (R-40). “Knowing that there are unclaimed remains of deceased veterans is heartbreaking. This bill will help ensure that the remains are properly logged and tracked so that these veterans can be laid to rest in a more timely manner with the honor and respect that they deserve.”
According to qualified veterans organizations, cremains of veterans have been abandoned on average 28 years, some as long as 50 years and others as long as 66 years. Currently, funeral directors make a diligent effort to identify, locate, and notify a relative or friend of the deceased, but sometimes the remains go unclaimed.
Under Corrado’s bill, S-3484, any cremains that remain one year after the date of cremation, and the funeral directors diligent efforts, will be recorded and the funeral directors will notify the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs that they are in possession of unclaimed cremains of veterans.
The bill also requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create and maintain an online reporting system of the location and identity of the unclaimed cremains.
“Those who devoted their life to protecting our country should never be forgotten,” Corrado said. “Ensuring the cremains of veterans are reported so that they can be buried in a dignified manner is the least we can do.”
