Unclaimed bodies - burial process

The State Government has clear processes in place for the burial of unclaimed bodies.

If after three months a body remains unclaimed (and is not the subject of Coronial proceedings), the WA Police or hospital staff may refer the matter to the Public Trustee.

The Public Trustee will then assess whether there are any assets in any estate available to pay for a burial of the unclaimed body.  In a small number of cases this may take some weeks to establish. 

If estate funds are available, a burial is organised using these.  If no, or insufficient, funds are located, the Department of Child Protection is contacted and they become responsible for arranging the burial.

In the three months from August 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009, 12 unclaimed bodies were reported to the Public Trustee. 

Of these, three remain unburied - one in September (awaiting confirmation of assets from an estate) and two in October (one again awaiting confirmation of assets from an estate and one where friends have advised they are raising funds for the funeral).

Outside coronial investigations, it is only in a small number of cases that an unclaimed body would remain unburied at about 23 weeks after death.

That time period is explained by the fair and orderly process of allowing sufficient time for next- of-kin to be located (12 weeks) and the Public Trustee to confirm whether funds are available from an estate for burial (which again may sometimes take several weeks) and then, if no funds are available, for the Department for Child Protection (DCP) to organise a State-funded burial.

DCP and the Public Trustee are currently looking at ways to streamline this process even further.

The two bodies that have been unburied for a period greater than one year have both been subject to Coroner's Office proceedings.  Both bodies are understood to have next-of-kin or an executor of estate and therefore will not be subject to State burials (unless the next-of-kin or executor clearly indicate they will not take responsibility). 

The one body that has been waiting for burial for 23 weeks was referred to the Public Trustee in late October. This body is also understood to have a next-of-kin. The Public Trustee has been in contact with the next-of-kin regarding burial arrangements.

Minister's office - 9220 5050