2006 New Mexico Statutes - Section 24-12A-3 — Unclaimed bodies and bodies of indigent persons; cremation permitted.

24-12A-3. Unclaimed bodies and bodies of indigent persons; cremation permitted.

The body of an unclaimed decedent or an indigent person, the disposition of which is the responsibility of the county pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 24, Article 13 NMSA 1978, may be cremated upon the order of the county official responsible for ensuring the disposition of the body or upon the order of any other government official authorized to order the cremation. Absent a showing of bad faith or malicious intent, the official ordering the cremation and the person or establishment carrying out the cremation shall be immune from liability related to the cremation.