Remains of dozens of unclaimed deceased in Pierce County to be spread at sea

Dozens of people who’ve died in Pierce County over the years have never been claimed. The Pierce County Medical Examiner says his office can no longer handle all of them, so he’ll scatter their ashes at a special ceremony this week.

Dr. Tomas Clark says many of the cases date back decades and, by law, he has to do everything possible to find next of kin. Despite best efforts, no family or friends can be found, or they’re not interested in claiming the remains.

“We’re left storing them indefinitely and that practice has become unsustainable,” he says.

The Medical Examiner’s Office has arranged to use the Pierce County Sheriff’s patrol boat to carry the cremated remains of 23 people to an undisclosed location on the waters of Puget Sound, Clark says.

By law, the ashes must be scattered within three miles of the state’s shoreline.

At the ceremony, several chaplains from West Pierce Fire and Rescue will say a few words, after which the names of each individual will be read aloud before the ashes are scattered.

“We deal with death every day in our office and always in the most respectful and professional manner,” Clark says in a release. “Regardless of the circumstances, it’s our duty to ensure that – as fellow human beings – they are treated with dignity.”

Those whose remains will be scattered include several found in newly-purchased and rented homes, on the steps of a church, on a stranger’s porch, in the back of a pickup truck, on the side of the road, and in a store parking lot. The names or details of each individual whose ashes will be scattered are posted on the Medical Examiner’s Office website.

Clark says anyone confirmed to be a U.S. military veteran is referred for internment in a veteran’s cemetery.