PARLIAMENT’S LOWER HOUSE APPROVES LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS PROBLEM OF UNCLAIMED BODIES

Parliament’s Lower House has passed the Public Health Amendment Bill 2023.
It allows funeral homes to bury bodies which are unclaimed after 14 days.
The bill makes allowance for the expenses of the burial to be recovered from the estate of the deceased, including the social security payments to which the deceased may be entitled.
Where there are no known assets to pay for the expenses of the burial, the Government will bear the reasonable costs for the burial of the deceased.
The legislation was piloted by Health Minister, Hon. Sir Molwyn Joseph.