Senate approves measure for cremation of indigents
Air Date:02/22/2012
A measure allowing counties to cremate indigents has passed the state Senate. Republican Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says the measure has been amended in the House of Representatives so counties would have to contact next of kin before deciding to cremate.
“There’s certainly is concern that always the family or the next of kin should certainly provide input even if the county is providing for the remains of that individual. So it explicitly said that, that the county may contact that kin and I now that’s a consideration so that you would have that contact to find the preference,” says Hunhoff.
Before unanimously passing the measure Senators amended it in the cases of indigent Native Americans. Now if an indigent Native American dies the person’s tribe will make the decision. Democrat Senator Jim Bradford of Pine Ridge says the tribes will take care of the expense if burial is chosen.
The bill now goes to the House to approve changes made in the Senate.
By Jackelyn Severin
Right click here for audio.
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