Okaloosa County BOCC — June 21, 2016 — Indigent and unclaimed persons Policy 6.6.16

EXHIBIT A OKALOOSA COUNTY POLICY AND PROCEDURE REGARDING DISPOSITION OF THE REMAINS OF DECEASED UNCLAIMED PERSONS PURPOSE The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide uniform guidelines pursuant to Chapter 406, Florida Statutes for the cremation of the remains of unclaimed deceased persons which are required to be disposed of at public expense. POLICY AND PROCEDURE I. Definitions Definitions as used in this policy are: “Indigent person” means persons whose family income does not exceed 100 percent of the current federal poverty guidelines prescribed for the family’s household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. “Unclaimed remains” means human remains that are not claimed by a legally authorized person (as defined in section 497.005, Florida Statutes), other than a medical examiner or the Board of County Commissioners, for final disposition at the person’s expense. II. Authority to Contract for Services Under Policy The Board of County Commissioners may enter into an agreement with an entity operating within the State of Florida (“Designated Entities”) to provide any or all of the services under this policy and to make determinations regarding the disposal of deceased remains in accordance with this policy. Such Designated Entities shall satisfy all requirements of the State of Florida to perform the services under this policy and Chapter 406, Florida Statutes. If more than one Designated Entity within Okaloosa County is utilized for purposes of this policy, said Designated Entity will be included on a list and assigned services on a rotational basis. The list of Designated Entities shall be utilized in determining where to send the remains of unclaimed deceased persons. If no Designated Entity within Florida is capable of fulfilling the services set forth in this policy in a reasonable and cost effective manner, then the Board may designate those responsibilities to the County Administrator and his or her designee or department to ensure that the procedures are followed. III. Criteria and Procedure for Determining Status of the Deceased In accordance with Chapter 406, Florida Statutes, this program is applicable to a deceased person who meets the following criteria: 1  EXHIBIT A The deceased’s death occurred or remains were found in the County, and: 1. Was unclaimed by any relative by blood or marriage, friend, fraternal society, charitable or religious organization, or governmental agency providing residential care to the deceased at the time of his or her death and there is no court order affecting the disposal of the remains of the deceased; or 2. The Deceased is determined by the County or Designated Entity to be indigent and the deceased’s relatives and or friends have refused to claim the body. a. Designated Entities shall obtain a statement from any Hospice facility of their knowledge of the indigent status of all deceased persons at their facility who have been referred for cremation under this policy and documentation for their knowledge. b. Determination of indigence is the responsibility of the Designated Entities subject to approval by the County Administrator or his or her designees. The person or entity in charge or control of the dead body or human remains shall make all reasonable effort to determine; whether or not the deceased person is entitled to burial in a national cemetery as a veteran of the Armed Forces and, if so, shall make arrangements for such services in accordance with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. For purposes of this section “a reasonable effort” includes contacting the Okaloosa County Veterans Service Officer or r