2013 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 24 - Health and Safety
Article 13 - Burial of Indigents
Section 24-13-5 - Payment of burial or cremation expenses; commissioners liability. (1999)

The board of county commissioners of any county within this state may authorize payment for the burial or cremation of an indigent person, as defined in Section 24-13-2 NMSA 1978 or of an unclaimed decedent, as defined in Section 24-13-1 NMSA 1978. All available assets of the deceased shall be used to reimburse the county for the cost of burial or cremation. Should the county be required to pay expenses for burial or cremation of an unclaimed decedent who has left an estate, the estate shall reimburse the county for those expenses. The county commissioners shall be liable either personally or officially to the county they represent in double the amount they have paid toward the burial or cremation of a person other than as authorized by this section.