AG Opinion – Is the Sheriff Required to Dispose of all Unclaimed Human Remains in their Jurisdictions?

The conclusion of the matter is no. The sheriffs of Virginia are only required to dispose of unclaimed human remains involved in a death investigation by the medical examiner. Only after remains are unclaimed and the body was the subject of a death investigation by the medical examiner is the Sheriff required to dispose of the remains. For full details, please read the opinion.