§ 3-3021 — Public policy; release of body to next of kin

As a guide to the interpretation and application of this Division it is declared that the public policy of the State is as follows: That as soon as may be consistent with the performance of his duties under this Division the coroner shall release the body of the decedent to the decedent's next of kin, personal representative, friends, or to the person designated in writing by the decedent or to the funeral director selected by such persons, as the case may be, for burial, and none of the duties or powers of coroners enumerated in this Division shall be construed to interfere with or control the right of such persons to the custody and burial of the decedent upon completion of the coroner's investigation. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the coroner from consulting with the decedent's next of kin, personal representative, friends or the person designated in writing by the decedent where the decedent was under treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone in accordance with the tenets and practice of a well recognized church or religious denomination in making his preliminary investigation under subsection (E) of Section 3-3013, nor shall anything herein contained be construed to require an autopsy by reason of the sole fact that the decedent was under treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 86-962.)