Sec. 16. (a) This section applies to each county having a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000).

     (b) For purposes of this section, a body is unclaimed if:

(1) a person cannot be located to take custody of the body; or

(2) there is a person to take custody of the body, but that person cannot or will not assume financial responsibility for disposition of the body.

     (c) Except as provided in IC 21-44-2, the coroner may order the burial or cremation of any unclaimed body left in the coroner’s custody.

     (d) If the deceased died without leaving money or other means necessary to defray the funeral expenses, the coroner may contract with a funeral director licensed under IC 25-15 to dispose of the body. The necessary and reasonable expenses for disposing of the body shall be paid by the county auditor upon the order of the coroner.

As added by P.L.106-1986, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.3-1990, SEC.123; P.L.2-2007, SEC.385.