County looks at options for unclaimed bodies

Officials in the Oshkosh area are considering their options for disposing of unclaimed bodies.

Winnebago County’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee is considering an ordinance that would allow the county to cremate unclaimed bodies after seven days, rather than paying for burial. That is expected to save the county money as a burial plot typically costs about $500.

Catholic Cemeteries of Oshkosh Inc. has offered to provide burial space in its cemeteries for indigent and unclaimed bodies that require a traditional burial.

And the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has offered to take some bodes for use in human anatomy courses.

Winnebago County Coroner Barry Busby told the Oshkosh Northwestern that most Wisconsin counties do not have ordinances addressing how to handle unclaimed bodies.