This bill mandates that the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) establish a central website registry to track unclaimed cremains of veterans, thereby aiding veteran organizations in locating these remains. It requires funeral directors, after making diligent efforts to find relatives or friends of deceased veterans, to notify the DMVA of any unclaimed cremains one year after cremation. The bill also stipulates that funeral directors must grant qualified veterans' organizations the right to receive these unclaimed cremains, which can then be disposed of in a dignified manner, such as scattering at sea or interring at designated veterans' cemeteries.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions that protect funeral homes and veterans' organizations from civil liability in cases of disposal of cremains, unless gross negligence or willful misconduct is proven. The establishment of the central reporting system is intended to streamline the process of identifying and claiming unclaimed veteran cremains, ultimately ensuring that veterans receive proper burials in a timely manner. This legislation aims to honor the memory of veterans by facilitating their respectful interment and reducing the burden on organizations that currently invest significant volunteer time in locating these remains.

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