Article 1. Embalming of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 7. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 1.

No person shall embalm the body of any person who has died from an unknown cause, except with the permission of the coroner.

No embalmer shall embalm a dead human body when he has information reasonably indicating crime in connection with the death until permission of the coroner has been obtained.

Every funeral director and embalmer shall immediately report to the local health officer every contagious case on which the funeral director or embalmer may be called.

No embalmer shall embalm a dead human body when he has information reasonably indicating the death has occurred while the deceased was driving or riding in a motor vehicle, or as a result of the deceased being struck by a motor vehicle, until permission of the coroner, his appointed deputy coroner, or a judge in the county, if there is no coroner, has been obtained.

No embalmer shall embalm a dead body without obtaining written or oral permission of a person who has the right to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100, except that prior authorization is not required if embalming is necessary in order to comply with applicable laws or regulations, or is necessary to avoid irreparable deterioration of the dead body, in which case, a good faith effort shall be made to obtain permission.