What Is the Public Administrator's Involvement With Funeral Arrangements?
The Washoe County Public Administrator's Office is responsible for managing a decedent's personal and real property. The handling of the decedent's remains and any funeral arrangements is the responsibility of the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner and/or the Mortuary.
If the Public Administrator is appointed to administer an estate, or files an Public Administrator Affidavit, they may authorize payment from estate funds for funeral expenses previously arranged by family, or reimburse individuals who covered those costs in advance. When an estate has limited funds, the Washoe County Regional Medical Center may refer the case to the Washoe County Human Services Agency, which will provide arrangements according to their policies. If sufficient estate funds later become available, the Public Administrator will reimburse Washoe County Human Services Agency during the course of the estate administration.