Temple woman's body remains unclaimed
Apr 19, 2018
Dossman Funeral Home in Belton reported.No family members had come forward as of press time Friday for 61-year-old Georgette Kay Woodall, Ben Parker, a Dossman funeral director, said.“It is sad, but we are going to see if anyone comes forward,” Parker said. “If not, we will be handling the services as best as we are able to.”Sometimes bodies can remain in funeral homes for months or years.If Woodall’s body remains unclaimed, Bell County Justice of the Peace G.W. Ivey would decide what happens next, Cynthia Gibson, Dossman funeral director, said Friday.“We’re hoping to get some leads,” Gibson said.Willis Lorenzo Gibson Jr., 62, died after he was struck by a vehicle, and his body went unclaimed for many months — until a brother was finally located in Springfield, Mo., who claimed his body and brought Gibson home to be buried.Hearts touched by the story of the homeless man set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to bury Gibson. Others volunteered to claim his body but weren’t aware of the financial obligation of claiming a body. The basic burial cost is at least $3,500, and that’s just for a plot, casket and the opening and closing of a grave.While anyone can claim a body, only a relative or justice of the peace can authorize a cremation.If Ivey authorizes a cremation, the funeral home keeps the ashes until someone claims them, Gibson said.
(Temple Daily Telegram)
Temple woman's body remains unclaimed
Apr 19, 2018
Dossman Funeral Home in Belton reported.No family members had come forward as of press time Friday for 61-year-old Georgette Kay Woodall, Ben Parker, a Dossman funeral director, said.“It is sad, but we are going to see if anyone comes forward,” Parker said. “If not, we will be handling the services as best as we are able to.”Sometimes bodies can remain in funeral homes for months or years.If Woodall’s body remains unclaimed, Bell County Justice of the Peace G.W. Ivey would decide what happens next, Cynthia Gibson, Dossman funeral director, said Friday.“We’re hoping to get some leads,” Gibson said.Willis Lorenzo Gibson Jr., 62, died after he was struck by a vehicle, and his body went unclaimed for many months — until a brother was finally located in Springfield, Mo., who claimed his body and brought Gibson home to be buried.Hearts touched by the story of the homeless man set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to bury Gibson. Others volunteered to claim his body but weren’t aware of the financial obligation of claiming a body. The basic burial cost is at least $3,500, and that’s just for a plot, casket and the opening and closing of a grave.While anyone can claim a body, only a relative or justice of the peace can authorize a cremation.If Ivey authorizes a cremation, the funeral home keeps the ashes until someone claims them, Gibson said.
(Temple Daily Telegram)
