2. a. A funeral director, licensed pursuant to P.L.1952, c.340 (C. 45:7-32 et seq.), shall grant a qualified veterans’ organization, as defined in subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.385 (C. 26:7-18.2), the right to receive the cremains of a veteran, or the cremains of an eligible spouse or eligible dependent of a veteran, which have not been claimed by a relative or friend of the deceased within one year after cremation upon certification, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Health, that a diligent effort, as defined in subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.385 (C. 26:7-18.2), has been made to identify, locate and notify a relative or friend of the deceased within that one-year period, as provided under section 2 of P.L.1983, c.385 (C. 26:7-18.2).

A qualified veterans’ organization which takes possession of cremains pursuant to this section shall dispose of the cremains by scattering them at sea or by interring them on land in a dignified manner at the State-operated, Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, a State-operated veterans’ memorial cemetery, a national veterans’ memorial cemetery, or a local veterans memorial cemetery, if the individual is eligible for interment at those facilities.

b. A funeral home or mortuary, or an agent of the funeral home or mortuary, or a funeral director, or qualified veterans’ organization, shall not be liable for damages in any civil action arising out of the disposal of cremains pursuant to this section unless the damages are the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

L.2009, c.14, s.2; amended 2021, c.37, s.4.