Who has the Right, Duty and Responsibility to Make Final Disposition Arrangements?

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California law lists those who have the right, duty, and responsibility to make decisions about disposition arrangements after a person's death. They are, in order, as listed in the law:

• ​A person prior to his or her death.
• The Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) on a U.S. Department of Defense Record of Emergency Data (DD Form 93) as that form existed on December 31, 2011, or its successor form.
• An agent under a California Power of Attorney for health care.
• The surviving competent spouse or registered domestic partner.
• The surviving competent adult child or the majority of the surviving competent adult children.
• The surviving competent parent or parents.
• The surviving competent adult sibling or the majority of the surviving competent adult siblings.
• The surviving competent adult or the majority of the surviving competent adults in the next degree of kinship.
• A conservator of the person appointed under part 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Division 4 of the Probate Code when the decedent has sufficient assets.
• A conservator of the estate appointed under part 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Division 4 of the Probate Code when the decedent has sufficient assets.
• A public administrator when the decedent has sufficient assets.

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Details: A person may direct in writing the disposition of his or her remains and specify the funeral goods and services desired. Unless there is a written statement to the contrary that is signed and dated by the person, these directions may not be changed in any material way except as required by law.