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04 Feb: Van Drew-Madden Bill To Permit Vets’ Organizations To Give Unclaimed Vets’ Cremains Proper Burial Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Jeff Van Drew and Fred Madden to permit funeral directors to release the unclaimed cremains of a deceased veteran to a certified veterans’ organization for proper burial was signed into law today by the Governor. The sponsors noted that this law will allow the remains of veterans which have sat unclaimed to receive a send-off fitting of the veterans’ service to their country.

“The brave men and women who have given so much to serve their country deserve to be remembered properly,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic. “However, for far too long in the State of New Jersey, the cremated remains of veterans who died without an identifiable next of kin sat, unclaimed and forgotten on shelves. I thank Governor Corzine for signing this measure into law, ensuring that we show due respect for a military veterans’ years of service and give their remains a fitting and proper burial.”