What happens if cremains are not picked up within 90 days of mailing the notice?

If cremains are not picked up within 90 days of mailing the notice, they must be scattered, buried, or stored. This policy is designed to ensure that the remains of the deceased are treated with respect while also addressing the practical considerations that arise when cremains are left unclaimed for an extended period.

Holding onto cremains indefinitely may not be feasible for funeral homes due to space limitations and the obligation to maintain a dignified environment. Therefore, the law provides guidelines to prevent indefinite storage and encourages families to make appropriate arrangements in a timely manner. The requirement to scatter, bury, or store the cremains ensures that they are handled in a manner that is consistent with the respectful treatment expected for human remains.

In this context, the other options are not viable solutions. Returning the cremains to the family would require knowing their whereabouts or having the family’s address, which may not always be possible. Keeping cremains forever contradicts the principles of managing human remains responsibly in a business environment, and selling cremains would be ethically and legally inappropriate.