Section 31-21-4. Burial at sea of cremated remains; notification that cremated remains are ready for interment; unclaimed cremated remains

   (a) (1) Cremated remains may be taken by boat from any harbor in this state, or by air, for burial at sea at a point not less than three miles from the nearest shoreline. Cremated remains shall be removed from their container before such remains are buried at sea.

   (2) Any person who buries at sea, either from a boat or from the air, any human cremated remains shall carry out the burial services within 50 days from the reduction of the body to cremated remains and file with the local registrar of births, deaths, and other vital records in the county nearest the point where the remains were buried a verified statement containing the name of the deceased person, the time and place of death, the place at which the cremated remains were buried, and any other information that the local registrar may require. Burial services may be delayed until weather conditions improve if inclement weather prevents safe burial.

(b) Any person who requests that a dead body be cremated shall provide the funeral establishment or other person responsible for the cremation an address at which such person can be notified when the cremated remains are ready for interment. Notification shall be made by first-class mail to such person at the address provided. If the cremated remains are not claimed for interment or other disposition within 60 days from the date that the notification is mailed, such remains shall be turned over to the coroner to be interred in a plot or niche in a cemetery where indigents are buried.

Code 1981, § 31-21-4, enacted by Ga. L. 1989, p. 813, § 1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 94, § 31.