Pine County's County Burial:
When a person dies without apparent means to provide for burial or final disposition, the county board shall first investigate to determine whether that individual had contracted for any prepaid funeral arrangements. If it is determined that the person did not leave sufficient means to defray the necessary expenses of a funeral and final disposition, nor any spouse of sufficient ability to procure the burial; pursuant to Minnesota Statute #261.035, Pine County shall cause a burial to be made at county expense, per the schedule established by the County Board.
All county paid funerals must be prior authorized. Any person lawfully authorized to make arrangements for burial of decedent must complete an application for a County Paid Burial. This application must be done prior to the arrangements with the funeral time and within 5 days of the date of death. The deceased person must meet the county approved criteria. If the deceased person is not eligible for County Paid Burial, then the responsible parties will need to work with the funeral homes for payment.
If arrangements must be made during a period that the office is closed, contact may be made the next working day.
Pine County determines method of final disposition when:
1. The wishes of the decedent are unknown, and
2, The location of next of kin is unknown.
3. Eligibility is based on a lack of resources of the decedent and/or responsible relative.
How to Apply:
The next of kin/family member/friends will be asked to complete the Pine County Burial application on behalf of their loved one. They are asked to go to the Pine City or Sandstone office locations . An interview is needed right away and likely to be done when you drop off the application. Proofs of the deceased income and assets would also be required. Please bring those proofs to your appointment so a determination can be made in a timely manner. If you are unable to go to the county office for any reason to complete an application, please call our agency to notify us of your intent to apply. You can email a completed county burial to our agency at income.proof@co.pine.mn.us after you've contacted our office.