What happens to bodies of inmates who've died in Kansas?

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Working for you, 27 News reached out to the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) to find out what happens to inmates who die with nobody to claim them.

KDOC Public Information Officer David Thompson said if an inmate dies and they aren't claimed, they will be cremated within four days of their death. In Kansas, KSA 65-17-34 and KSA 65-904 provide outlines for how deceased inmates are handled by the KDOC. Under KSA 65-904, the KDOC is responsible for cremating unclaimed inmate bodies at the department's expense.

KSA 65-17-34 provides guidance on the order of priority for who makes the final decision on the inmate's remains. If the inmate has designated an agent with power of attorney for health care decisions, that person takes priority. If not, the spouse, adult children, surviving parents, or next of kin will be responsible. The law gives special protections to funeral directors and provides special considerations for military service members.

In Kansas, remains are either sent to the warden's office at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) or the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF), where the state crematories are located. Once a warden receives the cremains, the warden will give it to the chaplain for a proper burial ceremony.

"It’s estimated that there are several hundred burial plots at LCF and about sixty at HCF," Thompson said.

Thompson said the burial grounds are maintained by residents and supervised by the chaplains at each facility.

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