The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office is finalizing plans for reburial of caskets and vaults displaced by flooding along the Sabine River. Coroner’s officials have begun notifying families or next-of-kin for those caskets that have been positively identified, and this process make take several days.

The first step family members need to take is to register with FEMA for individual assistance to pay for reburial costs. Only one family member should register. If possible, it will be better if that family member has not already applied for individual assistance for residential home damage or rental assistance since maximum assistance amounts may apply. The family may register by calling 1-800-621 FEMA, by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or in person at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the American Legion Hall, 5461 Joe Courville Road in Vinton.

After registering with FEMA, families will be required to obtain certificates and cost estimates from the coroner and will need to choose between reinterment by the coroner or by a funeral home. Please be aware that funeral homes may not be able to handle the reburial in a timely fashion.

Reinterment by the Coroner will be scheduled when funds from FEMA individual assistance are delivered to the Coroner if the family elects to use the Coroner’s Office for reburial.

The process for releveling vaults that remained sealed but that were moved during the flood (i.e. handling of disturbed grave) will be the same as above except that the activity will either be handled by the Coroner’s Office or another authorized vendor at the option of the family.

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