Newfoundland and Labrador has awarded the contract for the cremation and burial of unclaimed human remains to Barrett’s Funeral Home.

Last month, under updated legislation, NL Health Services launched a website listing the names of 26 people whose remains were left unclaimed.

After a period of five days with no response, the health authority has the ability to lay the remains to rest in a respectful manner.

Most of the names on the list were seniors, with some having died several years ago.

The health authority won’t say how many bodies were successfully claimed as a result of the site.

However, Ron Johnson, COO of the Eastern Urban Zone, says they are now ready to begin the next steps for the bodies that still have not been claimed.

He says cremations and burials will start happening this week.