Frequently asked questions

If you wish to make a claim regarding unclaimed remains, please contact NL Health Services at:

• Phone: 709-725-7474
• Email: FinalArrangements@nlhealthservices.ca

Please note that this phone and email are monitored Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Messages or emails will be returned during regular business hours. As needed, please leave a message with your name and telephone number and someone will call you back the next business day.

If you have relevant information to assist in identifying or locating next of kin, but do not wish to claim the remains yourself, you are encouraged to contact NL Health Services at:

• Phone: 709-725-7474
• Email: FinalArrangements@nlhealthservices.ca

Your assistance may support efforts to locate a legal next of kin or help provide information for the burial.

Individuals with a legal right or close personal relationship to the deceased, such as next of kin or someone with prior written authority, can formally claim remains. Others, such as community groups, may assist by sharing information and working collaboratively with NL Health Services to help inform the burial.

NL Health Services follows a respectful, legislated process:

• An extensive search is completed of patient records and attempts are made to identify and contact next of kin, close relatives or those that may have information on potential relatives. This process occurs for 14 days.
• Without successfully having the remains claimed, in the 14 day period referenced above, NL Health Services proceeds to post a public notice for five business days to the webpage to complement the search. If a claim is not made within that period, the remains will be managed in accordance with the Provincial Health Authority Act, including respectful final arrangements.

Due diligence refers to the thorough and documented efforts made by NL Health Services to identify the deceased, locate next of kin, and facilitate a lawful and respectful transfer of remains before proceeding with final arrangements.

Not all remains will need to be transferred to the provincial morgue in St John’s. There are a number of factors that determine the need for transfer to St John’s such as length of time before remains become unclaimed, etc.

Unclaimed remains will be respectfully buried in a burial site designated by NL Health Services and in collaboration with those that have come forward and gathered information during this process, where appropriate. Locations are selected in collaboration with municipalities and funeral service providers to ensure dignity and compliance with legal standards.

Funerals can be held, and NL Health Services can work with those interested in providing a funeral outside of the NL Health Services process.

If a legitimate claim is initiated within the five-day public notice period, NL Health Services will work with the claimant to make appropriate arrangements, even if documentation or planning requires additional time. Timely communication is essential and individuals are encouraged to contact NL Health Services as soon as possible during the five-day public notice period.

In the absence of a claim, unclaimed individuals will receive a respectful burial, in accordance with provincial legislation and NL Health Services policy. Cremation may occur only if no other option is appropriate and after all due diligence efforts are completed. Cultural, religious, or documented wishes will be considered when known.