[clort]

I saw a movie recently which dealt with this topic of people dying with no obvious next of kin

  http://film.britishcouncil.org/still-life2

though from a british viewpoint and somewhat cynical regarding the downsizing of the department handling these affairs (I don't know what really happens over here)

I was pleased to note that the new york times actually listed costs relating to the disposal of his estate, and even went and spoke to the people who did inherit some of whom had never even heard of George Bell.