EDINBURG – Death is a destination everyone will inevitably reach.

Many of us expect to be surrounded by family and friends, but poverty can leave some people few choices.

The indigent program is provided to those in Hidalgo County who die, but can’t afford a service or are alone and have no one to take care of them.

If there is no family to claim the body the county can help.

“Any individual who is not identified and the morgue is ready to release them, the individual has to be buried and cannot be cremated,” said Lee Castro, a funeral director.

The reason to bury and not cremate is so the body can still be claimed after burial.

The director of Hidalgo County Health and Human Services, Eddie Olivarez, says families whose loved one dies can qualify for the program under strict qualifications.

If you know someone who has died and in need of assistance, call the Indigent Care Division at the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services at 956-383-6221.

Watch the video above for the full report.