Dealing with death is an undesirable but necessary task.
When it comes down to it, if a person dies in Washington County and has no friends, no family, no assets and no ties to funeral homes or cemeteries to which the county can turn, cremation is the course of action by default. Burial is not an option except for children and veterans.
The end for indigent people dying within the county may mean custody, care and burial by loved ones. At the other extreme, the county will kick in $600 toward the cost of cremation and interment. This amount may vary depending on how much money family or friends can pitch in.
Read the full story on the Johnson City Press website.