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1. Who is responsible for the cost of burial or cremation?

The right to make decision concerning funeral and burial arrangement AND the responsibility to pay for these arrangement is outlined in California Health and Safety Code Section 7100.

These persons are:
- An agent acting under a power of attorney for health care
- The competent surviving spouse
- The County Coroner
- The majority of surviving competent adults in the next degree of kinship, (grandparents, aunts/ uncles, cousins)
- The majority of surviving competent children
- The majority of surviving competent siblings
- The Public Administrator, but only if the deceased’s estate has sufficient funds
- The surviving competent parent or parents

If the responsible party refuses to pay the reasonable expenses of disposition and the County steps in to pay, the County may collect up to three (3) times the expense incurred (Health & Safety code Section 7103(c)). For more information please call 530-265-1471.

2. Does the County help with Cremation services?

The County through the Sheriff’s Office has negotiated a low-cost arrangement with local mortuaries for cremation expenses. If the applicant qualifies as low income through the process described below, then the price for the cremation should not exceed $500 and should be paid to the mortuary directly. However, the local mortuary that provides this service changes by quarter, so please call 530-265-1471 so we can help guide you to the appropriate funeral home.

3. Who qualifies for the County Low Income Assistance Cremation Program?

A resident of Nevada County who does not have sufficient resources or have any relatives that can provide resources to pay for standard cremation/funeral expenses is a likely candidate.  There is still a cost, although significantly reduced for a qualified applicant.  This Program is facilitated by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Public Administrator in conjunction with specific local mortuaries/funeral homes.  For more information, please call 530-265-1471.

4. How would someone apply for the Cremation Program?

To qualify for the program, you must complete an application, which can be found here and then contact our office for information on which mortuary you should submit the application to.  You will then take your completed application, picture identification for all adult household and Next of Kin members, social security cards, bank statements for the past 2 months and verification of income for the past two months for all household members and Next of Kin to the appropriate mortuary as directed by the Public Administrator. For more information, please call 530-265-1471.

5. Can another Cremation Assistance program be used with the County's program?

No, if assistance is being received from another agency you will not qualify for the County's program. For more information please call 530-265-1471.