Unclaimed Remains
Program
The Unclaimed Remains Program is a City of Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) program that is committed to the task of handling and managing the unclaimed human remains of citizens who died in the city and are not claimed. This program serves people whose families either could not be located or could not provide for the proper disposition of remains. Decedents in the program are cremated. The decedents are buried in individual containers in a shared crypt.
Mission
The program’s core mission is to provide dignified burial or cremation for unclaimed human remains. This work is mandated by Ohio Revised Code 9.15, which stipulates that the expense for final disposition is the responsibility of the township or municipal corporation where the deceased person legally resided at the time of death.
Eligibility
The City of Cincinnati Unclaimed Remains program provides funding for cremation for individuals who are indigent and who have died in the City of Cincinnati. The decedent must be a resident of the City of Cincinnati for six months prior to death. To establish residency in the City of Cincinnati, the applicant must show proof that the deceased resided in the City: 1) Provide a utility bill reflecting the City of Cincinnati or 2) Identification (Driver's license or State ID).
Salute to Veterans
Upon approval into the unclaimed remains program each decedent’s name is submitted to the Veteran’s Administration to find out if they were honorably discharged. If the unclaimed is a veteran with an honorable discharge the cremated remains are taken to the Dayton National Cemetery for placement. A service is conducted based on the branch of service. The Final Salute Society, a small group of dedicated volunteers attends graveside services for veterans.
Gone but Not Forgotten
“May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be
forgotten." - Julie Hebert
Names of Unclaimed Individuals (2026)
Names of Unclaimed Individuals (2025)
Names of Unclaimed Individuals (2024)
Increase Education of Advance Care Planning
Program Challenges
The high cost of funeral services is a significant barrier, often leading families to decline custody of remains. This lack of financial support forces cases into the city indigent and unclaimed remains system.
Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning for the Unclaimed Remains Program is a benefit to raise awareness to the citizens of the City of Cincinnati. Our goal is to provide steps citizens can put into place now so they will not become part of the unclaimed remains program.