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1. I have been estranged from the family member for many years, am I still responsible for their final arrangements?

YES. Arizona Law does not provide for estranged family members to be excluded from responsibility for making final arrangements for a family member.

2. If the county has completed a cremation, can I repay the county and then be able to keep get my loved one’s ashes?

This is possible, if we have not received or processed the invoice for the cremation from the funeral home, we will put the family member in touch with that funeral home to make arrangements. If the county has received and processed the payment but has not yet buried the individual, the Public Fiduciary, with the approval of the County Attorney’s Office, may accept reimbursement for the costs incurred by the county to complete the cremation. 

If the cremation has been completed and the individual has been buried, no further action can be taken.

3. What happens if I refuse to pay, or to return calls if my family member dies?

Arizona law states that whoever pays for the final arrangements, including the county, can recover twice the amount of the cost in a civil action against the family member(s) who refused to make the arrangements.

4. Does a person who is cremated by the county get a headstone?

Pinal County buries individuals at the Town of Superior’s Fairview Cemetery. We place the cremated remains of six individuals in a single grave, and each individual will have a small headstone that complies with the law.