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.
-
Thanksgiving turkey giveaway helps hundreds in need
On Saturday, New Direction Church held its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Arlington Middle School, and hundreds lined the streets.
IMPD investigating after victim arrives at Riley Hospital with a gunshot injury
The victim was reported to be in critical condition. IMPD says the age of the victim, or the shooting occurred is not yet known.
No. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15
The Hoosiers had their chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and an Ohio State defense that sacked Kurtis Rourke five times.
Cost of Thanksgiving dinner is down but the need in the community is up
Experts say the cost of this year's Thanksgiving dinner is slightly cheaper than previous years. Local organizations say that slight relief isn't enough to reduce the need at this time of the year.
