Section 9 Burials provided by department; recovery of expenses - Massachusetts Statutes

[ Text of section effective until July 1, 2010. For text effective July 1, 2010, see below.]

  Section 9. The department shall provide for the decent burial of all deceased persons who are at the time of death recipients of aid or assistance under this chapter, all deceased persons who, although without means of support at the time of death, did not apply for such aid or assistance; and all unknown persons found dead. It shall also provide for the grave of each such deceased person a suitable marker bearing the name and dates of birth and death of such deceased person, if known, and for the opening of such grave. The expense thereof may be recovered of their kindred, if any, chargeable by law for their support in the manner provided in this chapter; and if the expense of their funeral and burial is not paid by such kindred, an amount not exceeding eleven hundred dollars; provided, however, that the total expense of the funeral and burial does not exceed fifteen hundred dollars; and provided, further, that any payment made by the department shall be reduced by whatever resources may exist in the estate of said person.

Chapter 117A: Section 9. Final disposition of deceased persons; recovery of expenses from deceased's kindred

[ Text of section as amended by 2010, 131, Sec. 68 effective July 1, 2010. See 2010, 131, Sec. 202. For text effective until July 1, 2010, see above.]

  Section 9. The department shall provide for the decent final disposition of all deceased persons who are at the time of death recipients of aid or assistance under this chapter, all deceased persons who, although without means of support at the time of death, did not apply for such aid or assistance and all unknown persons found dead. The expense thereof may be recovered from their kindred, if any, chargeable by law for their support in the manner provided in this chapter and if the expense of the funeral and final disposition is not paid by the kindred, an amount not exceeding $1,100 shall be paid by the commonwealth to the funeral establishment; provided, however, that the commonwealth shall have the right of reimbursement from whatever resources may exist in the estate of the deceased person.