Section 112.40  Release and burial of deceased recipients

a)         Burial of recipients in facility cemeteries and bodies removed from the facility require the services of a licensed funeral director. All records pertaining to the recipient's death must be completed as outlined in Section 18 of the Vital Records Act [410 ILCS 535/18].

b)         Facility directors shall make every effort to have relatives, friends, conservators, or interested organizations assume charge of and the expense of burying bodies.  Assets of the recipient or burial allowances to which he is entitled shall be used to the extent that they are available within limitations set forth in the Department's rule at 59 Ill. Adm. Code Section 110.20.  If the family of a recipient requests burial of the recipient in a cemetery plot owned by or available to the recipient or his family, the facility may grant such request and pay all or part of the funeral expense, if the cost cannot be borne by the family or from the recipient's assets.  The amounts paid by the facility in such cases shall not exceed the rate paid for State burials by that facility.  The Department may accept partial payment of the cost of burials made at State expense from relatives or conservators of recipients who are unable to bear the total cost.

c)         Recipients buried in facility cemeteries shall receive their last rites in keeping with their religious faith. The medical record librarian shall maintain an accurate record of all bodies placed in the facility cemeteries. All graves shall be plainly marked with number or name and number, and the cemeteries shall be kept in a tidy, presentable condition.

d)         Unclaimed bodies required to be buried at State expense may be turned over to the Demonstrators Association as joint representative of the Illinois medical schools.  Before the body is taken by this organization, an appropriate funeral service shall be held.  The Demonstrators Association shall bear all expenses of removing and shipping such bodies.  The clause on the death certificate in all such cases shall read "Surrendered to the Illinois Demonstrators Association" in lieu of place of burial.

(Source:  Effective October 1, 1969)