CA Health & Safety Code Section 121395

Whenever any person confined in any state institution, as provided in Section 120280, subject to the jurisdiction of the Director of Corrections, dies, and any personal funds or personal property of the person remains in the hands of the Director of Corrections, those funds may be applied in an amount not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) to the payment of expenses relating to burial; provided, however, that if no such funds are available, the department shall reimburse the Director of Corrections for the expenses in an amount not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300).