Section 27471 Of Article 1. Duties Generally From California Government Code >> Division 2. >> Title 3. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 10. >> Article 1.
27471
. (a) Whenever the coroner takes custody of a dead body
pursuant to law, he or she shall make a reasonable attempt to locate
the family. After a reasonable attempt, the coroner may embalm the
body or authorize the embalming by a mortician for purposes of
preserving the remains for evidence, to prevent microbial and
contagious disease hazards, or for investigative functions. If the
embalming has been requested by the family or by a person authorized
to take charge of the body prior to such embalming, and such family
or person has agreed to accept the expense, the coroner may charge
and collect up to one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135). Any family,
however, which has not been located within 24 hours of the custody
by the coroner of the body, shall not be charged more than sixty-five
dollars ($65).
This subdivision shall only apply to counties that own and
maintain a central morgue with a paid, full-time staff that performs
embalming.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (a), whenever the coroner
takes custody of a dead body pursuant to law, he or she may embalm
the body, and charge and collect up to one hundred thirty-five
dollars ($135) from the person entitled to its custody, except when
the body is that of a child not more than 14 years of age or a person
for whose burial there is available less than one hundred fifty
dollars ($150), in which cases the expense of embalming is a county
charge. In any county where the coroner is paid a salary, the fee
shall be paid into the county treasury, except that the board of
supervisors may order that the fee be paid to the coroner if the
coroner is a funeral director in the county.
(c) The board of supervisors shall by ordinance establish the fee
to be charged pursuant to this section.
(d) The board of supervisors may increase the amount of the fees
specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) pursuant to Chapter 12.5
(commencing with Section 54985) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5.