FCAGa Indigent Burial Project

Many Georgia residents lack the means to arrange for or pay for a simple dignified funeral.  In the worst case the body of the deceased remains unclaimed until a local government steps in under the requirement of Georgia law and arranges for an “indigent” burial or cremation, historically referred to as “pauper” burials.

FCAGa has launched a project to help funeral consumers contact local officials assigned by state law to provide a dignified burial or cremation for those unable to pay and with no kin to handle their affairs after death.

Neglected grave site with an old wooden cross grave marker overgrown with foliage

"Poor, sick, and forgotten"

“Poor, sick, and forgotten” from the headline of the San Francisco Standard March 18, 2024

Funeral Consumers are “uniquely vulnerable” to manipulation by providers whose profits matter more than what the consumer wants or requires.


In no case is that more clear than in the case of those who have died poor and without anyone able to cover the costs of a burial or cremation.

Georgia Indigent Burial Law

Georgia statutes provide that anyone who is indigent that dies the county will pay for the burial or cremation and then be reimbursed, at least partially, by the state.

Georgia Law on Indigent (Pauper) Burial

§ 36-12-5. Interment or cremation of deceased indigents

(a) Whenever any person dies in this state and the decedent, his or her family, and his or her immediate kindred are indigent and unable to provide for the decedent’s decent interment or cremation, the governing authority of the county wherein the death occurs shall make available from county funds a sum sufficient to provide a decent interment or cremation of the deceased indigent person or to reimburse such person as may have expended the cost thereof voluntarily, the exact amount thereof to be determined by the governing authority of the county but shall not exceed the lesser of the actual costs of interment or cremation.

(b) The Department of Corrections is authorized to reimburse the governing authority of the county where expenditures have been made in accordance with this Code section for the burial or cremation of any inmate under the authority, jurisdiction, or control of the Department of Corrections; but in no case shall the governing authority of the county be entitled to reimbursement where the decedent was in the custody of a county correctional institution or other county correctional facility.

History:

Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 208,§1, eff. 7/1/2013.
GA. Code 36-12-5 Interment or cremation of deceased indigents (Georgia Code (2024 Edition))

Georgia Guide to Funerals, Cremation, Burials, & other Care of the Body affairs

Georgia.gov

Directory of County contacts for Indigent Burials

The officials responsible for managing indigent burials and cremations in each Georgia County are identified in an online directory. 

Georgia Deputy Registrars for Disposition Permits

FAQ

A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.
A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.
A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.
A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.
A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.
A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.
A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.
A detailed answer to provide information about your business, build trust with potential clients, and help convince the visitor that you are a good fit for them.

Join the FCAGa Indigent Burial Project

Learn how you can help raise up those who die without the means for dignified final arrangements.

Contact us

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