LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Some funeral homes in Nebraska are still holding onto unclaimed veterans ashes despite a new law intended to help shield them from lawsuits whenever they release the cremains to volunteer groups.

The Nebraska chapter of the Missing in America Project works to recover the unclaimed ashes and connect them with family if possible, or arrange a military funeral when it isn’t.

The law, which was passed earlier this year, encourages funeral homes and crematoriums to work with such groups on identifying the remains and to turn them over if they qualify for internment in a veterans’ cemetery.

It wasn’t illegal before, but the law helps keep those involved from getting sued if distant family turns up later.