INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Coroner's Office and He Knows Your Name ministry will bury the remains of 171 adults who died between 2006-2019.
During a joint press conference on Friday, the organizations said the remains will be buried at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 26 at Antioch Indy Community Church and Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The public is invited to attend.
You can view a list of unidentified and unclaimed decedents in the county online.
Marion County Chief Deputy Coroner Alfie McGinty said unclaimed remains in the county are a problem and "truly an epidemic."
“But this is not just happening here in the largest county in Indiana," McGinty said in a press release. "Individuals are dying and being left at coroners’ and medical examiners' offices across the nation. We have to fix this.”
McGinty and Linda Znachko with He Knows Your Name ministry said they believe the root causes of this are the costs and next of kin grieving.
“They never show up,” McGinty said in a press release. “They don’t have the money and just don’t know the process. If a family member says they cannot afford to take care of a loved one, we present them with resources from the township trustee. If they have to do a lot of work and are going through the grieving process, then sometimes they’ll just give up.”
Znachko said the burial event later this month is intended to "give dignity and honor" to the 171 unclaimed remains.
-
Racist flyers found scattered around Hamilton County
Numerous neighbors are taking action after dozens of racist flyers threatening deportation were found scattered across roads in Hamilton County.University of Indianapolis launches new Behavioral Health Trauma certificate
The certificate specifically focuses on mental health professionals who plan to provide trauma counseling. It is obtained after three courses and nine total credit hours.Josh Downs, Anthony Richardson team up to give Colts offense a jolt of energy
Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs welcomed last week's announcement that Anthony Richardson would return as Indy's starting quarterback.Barrett scores season-high 39 as Raptors snap losing streak, beat Pacers 130-119
Benedict Mathurin scored 17 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Pascal Siakam had 25 points and 10 rebounds against his former team as the Pacers lost for the third time in four games.