This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to establish and maintain a central website registry for unclaimed cremains of veterans, which will aid veteran organizations in locating these remains. It requires funeral directors, after making diligent efforts to find a relative or friend of the deceased, to notify the DMVA in writing or electronically about any unclaimed veteran cremains they possess one year after cremation. The bill also clarifies that funeral directors are not liable for damages arising from the disposal of cremains unless due to gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to ensure that qualified veterans' organizations can receive unclaimed cremains after the one-year period, provided that the funeral director has made a diligent effort to locate relatives. The organizations are tasked with disposing of the cremains in a dignified manner, either by scattering them at sea or interring them at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery if eligible. The establishment of the central reporting system is intended to streamline the process of locating unclaimed veteran cremains, ultimately ensuring that veterans receive a proper burial with the honor they deserve.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:7-18.2, 38A:3-2