Article 7 – Inmate Deaths, Serious Injury, or Illness Notification
51070.17 Unclaimed Dead Body
Revised April 9, 2014-
After all reasonable efforts have been exhausted to locate a claimant for the deceased and there is no one to direct disposition, the remains shall be considered an unclaimed dead body. If the body is not claimed for burial, at least ten days after all reasonable efforts have been exhausted to contact the individual(s) listed on the Notification in Case of Inmate Death, Serious Injury, or Serious Illness, it shall be cremated or buried by a licensed mortuary/undertaker in accordance with a previously approved service contract. In the absence of any known relative, or if not claimed by relatives, the Warden may use his/her judgment in offering the body to friends of the deceased or interested private agencies for interment at private expense or with the deceased inmate’s own funds. The coroner or Department may dispose of the unclaimed body pursuant to applicable laws.