Delaware law allows officials to bury or cremate unclaimed remains without consent

Delaware law permits the State to bury or cremate an unclaimed body or an indigent person’s remains without written consent from the next of kin or another legally responsible person. This concerns unclaimed bodies and the remains of indigent people when the State or a local government is responsible for burial or cremation.

The law allows natural organic reduction or donation for scientific research when the next of kin or another legally responsible person gives written consent. This applies to the remains of an indigent person. Written consent from the next of kin or another legally responsible person is required.