Unclaimed bodies are sometimes turned over to medical schools or hospitals, but, generally speaking, most of them are claimed by relatives or friends for burial.
9 seconds sound clip from the The Adventures of Superman - The Mystery of The Walking Dead classic radio series.
You can hear this line at 00:17:04 in the radio play.
Quote context
[...]
- It is now the following morning. Clark Kent is in the warden's office at the state prison.
- Here's the report, Kent. Coronary occlusion.
- Uh huh. Was an autopsy done on the body?
- No, we're not equipped for that up here.
- What happened to Krishna's body?
- I believe it was claimed last night.
- It should be in one of these reports. Ah, here. Here it is.
- Claimed by Midtown Mortuary Service on behalf of a brother, Ali Yatanga Nabba.
- Yes.
- Body was found around ten forty-six stretched out on the cot in the cell.
[...]