The Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized to enter into a legally binding agreement with any resident of its healthcare facilities with respect to funeral arrangements and burial expenses. Upon the death of a resident who has entered into such an agreement, the department shall attempt, by whatever means appropriate, to contact his immediate family. Upon burial, the department shall pay reasonable funeral expenses or the amount specifically agreed upon out of the resident's funds on deposit as provided in R.S. 29:385(A), and any funds remaining on deposit after the payment of such expenses shall be preserved by the department and shall be disbursed only according to law. If no claim on the resident's funds remaining on deposit is initiated within five years of the date of death of such resident, the funds shall revert to the Department of Veterans Affairs and shall be deposited in the residents' recreation and welfare fund.
La. R.S. § 29:386