LOS ANGELES — Following a six-month trial program, the county Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to eliminate fees charged by the Medical Examiner's office for the transportation and storage of bodies.

"I am grateful we have the flexibility in our budget to eliminate this fee that had burdened families during some of the most difficult days of their lives," Supervisor Janice Hahn, who co-sponsored the motion with Supervisor Hilda Solis, said in a statement after the vote. "Los Angeles County is here for our residents from their births to their deaths. This is part of that commitment and taking care of our residents with dignity and compassion."

The board last year began a six-month trial period of waiving the $400 transportation and storage fee, noting that the medical examiner had only been able to collect the fee from about 50% of the people who were billed for it over a five-year period.

According to Hahn's office, a recent report indicated that the fee disproportionately impacted low-income residents.

"Charging families who lost a loved one for transportation and storage fees never sat well with me and staff," county Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said in a statement. "End of life expenses are costly, and can begin about financial hardship for families, especially in LA County. I hope families receive some reprieve knowing they will not receive a transport bill. I'm grateful to the board for recognizing the department's efforts to lead with kindness and compassion by certifying the of elimination of these fees."

Solis noted last year that average funeral costs can range as high as $20,000, so waiving the $400 transportation and storage fee can mean a lot to a family dealing with a loss.