Legislation to provide dignified burials for veterans passes

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The state Senate has passed legislation that would give the unclaimed remains of New York's veterans a dignified burial.

The measure sponsored by Queens Democrat Michael Gianaris passed unanimously in the Republican-led Senate this week.

The bill would require counties and the city of New York to work with a veteran service organization to ensure burial of any veteran whose remains were unclaimed. The Gianaris legislation would provide a dignified funeral and burial even if a veteran doesn't have a next-of-kin or didn't have the means to cover their own burial costs.

Under the measure, local governments would work with veterans' organizations to contract with funeral homes to provide burial services.