MOSES LAKE - The public is invited to attend a memorial service to bury remains of 23 people who died in Grant County last year, but whose remains were not claimed by family or friends.

Pastor Floyd Wilks will officiate the service held today, 3:30, at Pioneer Memorial Gardens, Moses Lake.

Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said that nine other indigent people who died in the county were found to be veterans, so their remains were transported to the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake and were buried with full military honors.

Morrison said that state law requires his office to "assume responsibility of the disposition of the remains of any indigent person whose body is unclaimed by relatives, friends or benevolent organizations."

Morrison said that his office will honorably and respectfully bury the remains. He said that most of the deceased are Grant County residents.