Identify the qualified person(s) to authorize an autopsy and embalming.

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) Links to an external site.

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?