What may occur if remains are not picked up within 30 days?

• A. A holding fee may be charged and remains held for 2 years
• B. They are immediately disposed of
• C. The family loses rights to the remains
• D. The facility must return them to the hospital

Answer: (A)

When remains are not picked up within the stated period, facilities typically establish a process to recover their costs and ensure proper handling. The main concept here is that a holding (storage) fee may be charged to cover the ongoing costs of keeping the remains, and the remains can be held for a defined period—often up to two years—while efforts to contact the family continue and arrangements are considered. This framing recognizes that the facility has to plan and allocate space and resources, and it gives a clear, regulated window for eventual disposition under applicable laws. Immediate disposal or loss of rights does not occur in this scenario, and returning the remains to the hospital would require a separate, specific procedure or legal basis.