What to Do Now

Viewing is done at the funeral home. It is not permitted at the Coroner’s Office.

Funeral Arrangements

Contact a mortuary service of your choice to discuss funeral arrangements and sign a release establishing your legal right to the remains. Legal authority to handle disposition of remains is established by Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code.

The general order of priority for authority for release of the body is:

  1. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
  2. Spouse or Registered domestic partner
  3. Adult Child (Multiple children - majority signatures needed)
  4. Parent (both signatures needed)
  5. Sibling (Multiple siblings - majority signatures needed)
  6. Other relatives meeting the test of the Code
  7. Public Administrator

You may also wish to contact an attorney of your choice to discuss issues associated with various legal obligations including wills, letters of administration, and probate.