Who is responsible for making arrangements for final disposition of the decedent?

The next-of-kin or other relative designated by law is required legally to make arrangements for final disposition of the remains. It is your obligation to make arrangements with the funeral home to determine if a cremation or other disposition of the remains.  Health and Safety Code Section (HSCS) 7103 (a) states: Every person, upon whom the duty of interment is imposed by law, who omits to perform that duty within a reasonable time is guilty of a misdemeanor.  Paragraph (c) of the same law reads: In addition, any person, registrant, or licensee described in subdivision a…is liable to pay the person performing the duty in his or her stead treble the expenses incurred by the latter in making the interment, to be recovered in a civil action.  Pursuant to HSCS 7104.1, you have thirty (30) days to make final arrangements.