Health officials say they will work with any person or group interested in providing proper burials for unclaimed remains.

Ideally, that would involve next of kin, but they don’t necessarily have to be, says NL Health Services V-P Ron Johnson.

While he would not speak to specific cases, out of concern for privacy, it was acknowledged there’s at least one group that’s attempting to claim the remains of a native son of Harbour Grace.

They want to bury Rendell Crane next to his late wife, who has a headstone with his name already on it.

Johnson admitted it can be a more complicated process, where next of kin cannot be found, but said the end goal remains the same: to ensure the remains end up where they belong.

“Can a town or someone who doesn’t have the legal authority, can they take these bodies? Well, we’ll work with them. The goal here is to work with them to help these people get a dignified burial,” he said.

“We’re not being exclusive here; we’re trying to be inclusive and bring anyone forward to help with the process. There are some legalities here that we have to work through, but we’ll certainly help people work through them.”

As part of new legislation enacted in January, a public website listing the identities of remains in storage is now up and running.

Once a person dies, officials will have 14 days of “due diligence” to find someone to claim the remains. If there’s no progress, the name goes on the website for five days. And if still no one comes forward, a “dignified, respectful” burial will take place after consultations with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

A tender has been let for a funeral home to partner with government to conduct those burials, and should be in place by June 13.