Title: Identify the qualified person(s) to authorize an autopsy and embalming.
Course: Introduction to Mortuary Science (14299) > Section: Planning the Funeral

Identification should include

- surviving spouse
- child of decedent (18 or older)
- one of the parents of the decedent
- any adult brother or sister of the decedent
- any other person or agency authorized or under an obligations to dispose of the remains.

Note: Review Code of Virginia 32.1-285 - Autopsies, (https://law.justia.com/codes/virginia/2006/toc3201000/32.1-285.html)

Process/Skill Questions:

- Who approves the purpose and disclosure statement?
- What is a surviving spouse?
- What is the order of hierarchy of relationship to the decedent?