The New Jersey Senate has approved bipartisan legislation aimed at ensuring proper burials for unclaimed cremated remains of veterans. The bill, sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) and Senator Carmen Amato, Jr. (R-9), seeks to improve the process for identifying and tracking these remains.
“Every veteran deserves the dignity of a proper burial,” said Sen. Singer. “By modernizing how we identify and track unclaimed ashes, we’re creating a compassionate process to ensure every veteran is laid to rest with honor.”
Senator Amato highlighted the importance of honoring veterans and their families: “Veterans and their families deserve our eternal gratitude and enduring respect. Accordingly, we have a sacred responsibility to ensure that veterans’ and their spouses’ remains can be claimed and given the proper burial they rightly deserve,” he said. “It is important to emphasize that this veterans’ legislative initiative was a bipartisan effort advanced with the support of several veterans’ organizations. In representing a legislative district among the highest number of veterans in the state, I know that my constituents want every effort made to see that those who serve our great nation find a final resting place.”
The legislation, S-3022/A-1131, updates existing law by requiring the New Jersey Electronic Death Registration System (NJ-EDRS) to automatically notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) when a veteran or eligible family member’s remains are cremated. After one year, if these remains are still unclaimed, the DVA can reach out to funeral homes to determine if anyone has come forward for them. If not, the DVA is authorized to work with qualified veterans’ organizations to arrange for their release and burial.
The full text of the bill is available online.
