The town council of any town, and the city council of any city, shall annually designate some proper person, other than those designated by law for the care of paupers or the custody of criminals, who shall cause to be interred the body of any honorably discharged soldier, sailor, airperson, or marine, who may not have left sufficient means to pay his or her funeral expenses; and in case the deceased has relatives or friends who desire to conduct the burial, and who are unable or unwilling to pay the charge thereof, they shall be allowed to conduct the funeral, and the cost of the interment shall be paid to them or their representatives by the town or city treasurer upon due proof; provided, however, that claim for the payment of the burial expenses under the provisions of this chapter shall be made within sixty (60) days after the decease of the honorably discharged soldier, sailor, airperson, or marine; and provided, further, that the whole expense of the funeral shall not in any case exceed the sum of fifty-five dollars ($55.00).