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Oregon State Hospital
Oregon Health Authority
Honoring the Past - List of Unclaimed Cremains

Oregon State Hospital unites families with cremated remains of deceased patients

 
While the Oregon State Hospital has made enormous strides toward improving the care and treatment of the patients of today, there is unfinished work in honoring patients of previous generations.
 
The Oregon State Hospital is the custodian of the cremated remains of approximately 3,500 people who died while living at Oregon State Hospital, Oregon State Tuberculosis Hospital, Mid-Columbia Hospital, Dammasch State Hospital, Oregon State Penitentiary, and Fairview Training Center between 1914 and the 1970s. These cremains were never claimed.
 
The hospital hopes to change that and unite the cremains with family members. To that end, the hospital has posted this list of names of the people whose cremated remains are in its possession. Hospital officials urge anyone who thinks he or she may have a family member who passed away at one of these institutions to review the list. As soon as the connection can be confirmed, the hospital will make arrangements for the cremains to be sent to the family.
 
 
 

List of names

The names of people whose cremains are in the custody of the state hospital are listed alphabetically by last name. Listings include the date of birth and the date of death, when known. The Oregon Legislature passed a law that allows the hospital to disclose this information which otherwise would be protected by medical confidentiality laws.


 

Please Note:

If you cannot find the name of someone whose remains you think may be in the possession of the hospital, be sure to check for different spellings. Information for the database was compiled from several sets of hospital records and archives. Many of these records are handwritten, and the hospital has more than one spelling for some patients. If the date of death matches, and the name is similar to your relative's, please contact Medical Record Services so further verification can be done.
 
 

How to claim remains

Families who identify relatives on this list should contact Medical Records Services at 503-945-2976. You can also reach Medical Records Services by e-mail at oshcremains@state.or.us or postal mail: OSH Medical Record Services, 2600 Center St. NE, Salem, OR, 97301.
 
To claim the remains, families will need to provide the following information:
  • A certified copy of the deceased patient's death certificate, which is available from the Department of Human Services; order information is available by calling 971-673-1190 in Portland. Death certificates will be returned to the family. For information about ordering a death certificate visit the Public Health website.
  • A signed "Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Information" form, which the hospital needs to release the ashes, records or both. The form is available on the Department of Human Services website. Search for form 2099.
  • A letter providing enough information to confirm that the person making the request is related to the deceased individual.
Once all the required documentation is received, Medical Record Services will review and process the request. If the request is approved you will be contacted to schedule an appointment to claim the cremains. Please keep in mind this process can take up to 30 days.
 
 

Memorial for unclaimed remains

 
The Oregon State Hospital is planning a memorial to honor those patients whose remains were unclaimed for decades and those which may never be claimed. This project, a collaboration with the Oregon Arts Commission, is funded by the Percent for Art in Public Places Program in the new hospital's construction budget. It is expected to be complete in 2012.
 
The Oregon Percent for Art in Public Places law (ORS 276.073-090), passed in 1975, requires one percent of direct construction funds of new and renovated state buildings with construction budgets of $100,000 or more for the acquisition of works of art.
 
 

Page updated: February 09, 2012