Indigent Burial

THE TORRANCE COUNTY FINANCE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERS THE UNCLAIMED/INDIGENT CREMATION PROGRAM FOR DECEASED PERSONS WHO HAVE PASSED AND ARE TORRANCE COUNTY RESIDENTS, AS DIRECTED BY STATE LAW.

Mission:

It is our mission to provide a deserved, lawful, proper and dignified manner of disposition for those decedent residents who are indigent or go unclaimed upon death, and to handle every case accurately and lawfully with the utmost attention.

2020 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 24 - Health and Safety
Article 13 - Burial of Indigents
Section 24-13-3 - Expenses for burial or cremation.

Universal Citation: NM Stat § 24-13-3 (2020)

If the unclaimed decedent had known assets or property of sufficient value to defray the expenses of cremation or burial, invoices for the expenses shall be forwarded to such person or official authorized by law to be appointed administrator of the estate of the decedent, and such person or official shall pay the expenses out of the decedent's estate. To the extent that the deceased person is indigent, the burial or cremation expenses shall be borne by the county of residence of the deceased person. If the county of residence of the deceased person is not known, the burial or cremation expenses shall be borne by the county in which the body was found. The burial or cremation expenses may be paid by the county out of the general fund or the county indigent hospital claims fund [county health care assistance fund] in an amount up to six hundred dollars ($600) for the burial or cremation of any adult or minor.