NJ S4461

Counties may now cremate unclaimed bodies as an alternative to burial, with the county responsible for cremation costs when no estate or responsible party can pay

Hospitals and medical examiners are authorized to store unclaimed bodies for up to 30 days, after which the body may be buried or cremated at county expense

Medical examiner's offices must retain cremated remains for at least one year before interment is permitted

Individuals who later claim a body or cremains that has already been buried must pay for disinterment costs, unless the medical examiner needs to conduct an investigation (in which case the medical examiner pays)

Cost responsibility hierarchy remains unchanged: decedent's estate pays first, then surviving spouse (for adults), surviving parent (for unemancipated minors), or county if no responsible party exists