(a) When the coroner investigates the death of a person whose body is not claimed by a friend or relative within five (5) days of the date of discovery and whose death does not require further investigation, he shall cause the body to be decently buried. The expense of the burial shall be paid from any property found with the body. If no property is found, the expense of the burial shall be paid by the county in which the investigation occurs. (b) The coroner shall, within a reasonable time after completing the investigation, turn over to the appointed personal representative of the estate of the deceased or, if none is found the coroner shall make a good faith effort to contact the deceased's next of kin and the coroner shall dispose of all money or other property found upon the body of the deceased in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. Personal items valued at less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and items necessary for the convenience of the deceased's next of kin may be released to the deceased's next of kin. (c) If there is no personal representative of the estate and if the deceased's next of kin does not claim the money and property found upon the body of the deceased within one hundred eighty (180) days, the coroner shall cause the property to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder or by any other means of sale adopted by the county in which the investigation occurs. All money and any proceeds from the sale or auction of the property shall first be used to pay the expenses of the burial in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. Any remaining money and proceeds in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be deposited and placed in the custody of the state treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.
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