Decedent Removal Fee Approved In Tuolumne County

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors has approved a decedent removal fee on behalf of the Sheriff´s Department.

By law, sheriff-coroners investigate and aid in the removal of almost all deceased bodies in the county. The decedent´s next of kin will now be charged between $125 to $250, depending upon how many funeral home workers are needed for the removal.

In the past, funeral homes have billed the Sheriff´s Department. This new ordinance will change the billing from having the Sheriff´s Department and county taxpayers pay to having the responsible parties be charged.

The rules do not apply if the death is of a person under the age of 14, the individual is indigent or if the person dies as a result of a criminal act.

Some of the new funding will go to purchase equipment, as well as increase training for those involved with the process.

Written by BJ Hansen