Too Poor To Bury Loved Ones—More Bodies Going Unclaimed

It’s an epidemic sweeping the nation—some areas, harder hit than others.

Dead bodies—going unclaimed—and families unable to pay for the burial of their loved ones.

As NewsChannel 7 discovered, the Upstate isn’t immune to this sad phenomenon.

And much of it is being blamed on the recent economic downturn.

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Across the country, counties are reporting people too poor to bury their dead loved ones. 

At Spartanburg Regional Hospital, which with the coroners office, handles the dead, they say they have seen an increase in the past year of indigent and unclaimed body cases.

Indigent means a family of the deceased is known but cant afford a burial.

Unclaimed means the body is lying in the morgue—no one willing to claim it.

If a body goes unclaimed, after a waiting period, the body is cremated.

In some counties, if the body remains unidentified, the morgue will keep it indefinitely.

The increase in indigent and unclaimed body cases varies from county to county.

In Greenville County, the coroners office says there does appear to be a recent spike in indigent cases.

“I’m sure we’ve had a recent trend of an increase—its probably due to the economy,“ said Chief Deputy Mike Ellis.

“Its usually their financial disposition. Its not that they don’t want to take care of their loved ones—its a hard decision they have to make.“

There are also economic effects on the taxpayer. Local governments are taking on the task of disposing of the remains. 

But regardless of cost, the number one priority for officials remains, treating the dead with dignity.

So where do loved ones in this situation turn for help? There are options, besides not claiming a loved one.

In Spartanburg County, the county Department Of Indigent Care Services is in charge of reaching out to families who cant cover burial expenses.

Some counties, may also pay for the cremation.