Health and Safety Code section 7114

Any person who performs, permits or assists at, an autopsy on a dead body without having first obtained (a) the authorization of the deceased in writing, including, but not limited to, the last will of the deceased; or (b) the authorization in writing of the person designated by Section 7100 of this code as having the right to control the disposition of the remains of the deceased; or (c) in the case of a cemetery authority or a licensed funeral director or a licensed hospital or its agents or a physician, the written or verbal authorization described in Section 7113 or 7151.6 of this code, is guilty of a misdemeanor, except that this section shall not be applicable to the performance of an autopsy by the coroner or other officer authorized by law to perform autopsies.

Source: Section 7114, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=7114.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1972; accessed Jun. 9, 2025).

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Verified:
Jun. 9, 2025

§ 7114’s source at ca​.gov