Unclaimed bodies: Who pays? Funeral directors left footing thousands

<p>The Funeral Directors Association says members who agree to arrange funerals for people who die with no money are being left out of pocket by public agency policies.</p> <p><b>By Torben Akel of </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1598211/destitute-deaths-costing-funeral-directors-thousands" target="_blank"><b>RNZ</b></a><b></b></p> <p>Funeral directors absorb substantial costs arranging cremations and burials for people who die with no money - what's known as an "indigent funeral".</p> <p>Typically, they are asked to do so by a rest home or hospital if a body goes unclaimed.</p> <p>It's voluntary, and while they can be reimbursed, it's still costing them thousands of dollars per death - leading to more of them saying no.</p> <p>Jim Goddin, owner of Rosetown Funerals in the Waikato town of Te Awamutu, said that in the year to June, he and his staff undertook 11 indigent funerals.</p> <p>"I believe it is an important service to the community and one that deserves to be carried out with compassion and…