Sec. 9-3. Disposition of the Remains of Indigent Persons.

In order to satisfy the requirements of O.C.G.A. §36-12-5, pertaining to deceased indigents, Columbus will undertake the following obligations, The determination of indigency will be made by the Columbus Office of the Department of Human Resources, Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS). Once that determination is certified by DFACS, Columbus will offer the following options to dispose of the remains:

1. Where the person asserting the right to direct the disposition of the body under O.C.G.A. § 31-21-7 (“the Authorizing Agent”) authorizes cremation of the indigent, the funeral home that has custody of the body shall provide for the cremation, The funeral home may then dispose of the remains as directed by the Authorizing Agent pursuant to O.C.G.A. §43-18-108. If no other disposition is requested, the cremains will be tendered to the cemetery sexton for storage in a vault or burial in the “pauper burial ground”. The Clerk shall pay the funeral home which provided the cremation service a fee of $600 upon certification by the funeral home to the Clerk that the cremation has taken place and the cremains are being held in accordance with the instructions of the Authorizing Agent or have been tendered to the cemetery sexton and that all necessary steps to apply for a Death Certificate have been completed.
2. Where burial is requested by the Authorizing Agent, the cemetery sexton will provide a grave space and grave opening in the pauper burial ground. All indigents shall be buried at a time and date approved by the sexton. The funeral home which has custody of the body, and provides for its transportation and burial will receive a payment in the amount of $400 upon certification to the Clerk from the sextant that the burial is complete and certification of the funeral home that all necessary steps to apply for a Death Certificate have been completed.