Information
This will serve as an incentive for families to choose a mortuary for the decedent in a timely manner
Type: Deliberation
Department: CRNR - Coroner
Directors' Update: Feb. 7, 2024
Business Meeting: Feb. 13, 2024
Summary:APPROVE fee for decedent storage
Publications:
Cover Letter To:
Additional Copies To:
Resolution
APPROVE STORAGE FEE FOR DECEDENTS - NEXT OF KIN
WHEREAS, the Lewis County Coroner's Office has a limited capacity for storing decedents; and
WHEREAS, the daily average census of decedents is half of the total capacity; and
WHEREAS, a decedent's next of kin can unreasonably delay in selecting a mortuary after being notified by the Coroner's Office to do so.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners supports the implementation of a fee to be charged to the party responsible for choosing a final mortuary for a decedent. This fee would be $75.00 per business day and would start being charged on the 8th business after the responsible party has been informed by the Coroner's Office that the decedent is ready to be released.
The Coroner shall not impose this fee:
a) Upon a person who claims and proves to be indigent. A person shall be determined indigent if the person is entitled to control the disposition of the remains of a decedent pursuant to RCW 68.50.160 and the person's family income is equal to or less than one hundred twenty-five percent or less of the current federally established poverty level in effect on the date the Coroner takes charge of the decedent; or
b) Upon the party responsible for choosing a final funeral home in cases where the delay in releasing the decedent to a mortuary is not caused by the party responsible (homicide cases on hold by Prosecutor's Office); or
c) Upon the party responsible for choosing a final funeral home where the decedent is 14 years old or younger.
DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 13th day of February, 2024.