§ 7-4-207 — Disposition of body and effects of deceased

(a) When the coroner investigates the death of a person
whose body is not claimed by a friend or relative within five
(5) days of the date of discovery and whose death does not
require further investigation, he shall cause the body to be
decently buried. The expense of the burial shall be paid from
any property found with the body. If no property is found, the
expense of the burial shall be paid by the county in which the
investigation occurs.
(b) The coroner shall, within a reasonable time after
completing the investigation, turn over to the appointed
personal representative of the estate of the deceased or, if
none is found the coroner shall make a good faith effort to
contact the deceased's next of kin and the coroner shall dispose
of all money or other property found upon the body of the
deceased in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
Personal items valued at less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and
items necessary for the convenience of the deceased's next of
kin may be released to the deceased's next of kin.
(c) If there is no personal representative of the estate
and if the deceased's next of kin does not claim the money and
property found upon the body of the deceased within one hundred
eighty (180) days, the coroner shall cause the property to be
sold at public auction to the highest bidder or by any other
means of sale adopted by the county in which the investigation
occurs. All money and any proceeds from the sale or auction of
the property shall first be used to pay the expenses of the
burial in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. Any
remaining money and proceeds in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00)
shall be deposited and placed in the custody of the state
treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.