Thread: More families failing to claim bodies in LA County

More families failing to claim bodies in LA County

The Associated Press
9:48 a.m. July 21, 2009

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County morgue is handling more unclaimed bodies because the weak economy means more people can't afford burials for their loved ones.

The number of unclaimed bodies that the morgue had cremated was up 25 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
The county crematorium had to stop accepting bodies earlier this year and two private crematories were hired to handle the overflow.

Unclaimed bodies typically are cremated after 30 days. The ashes are held for two years and then buried in a common grave.

It costs $200 to claim a body from the county, or $352 to receive the cremated ashes.

Coroner's Lt. David Smith says families are saying they simply don't have the money for a funeral.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=135622

More families failing to claim bodies in LA County

The Associated Press
9:48 a.m. July 21, 2009

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County morgue is handling more unclaimed bodies because the weak economy means more people can't afford burials for their loved ones.

The number of unclaimed bodies that the morgue had cremated was up 25 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
The county crematorium had to stop accepting bodies earlier this year and two private crematories were hired to handle the overflow.

Unclaimed bodies typically are cremated after 30 days. The ashes are held for two years and then buried in a common grave.

It costs $200 to claim a body from the county, or $352 to receive the cremated ashes.

Coroner's Lt. David Smith says families are saying they simply don't have the money for a funeral.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=135622

It is very sad when you can't even afford to die.

It is very sad when you can't even afford to die.