Code of Virginia § 54.1-2807.01. When next of kin disagree.
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A. In the absence of a designation under § 54.1-2825 , when there is a disagreement among a decedent's next of kin concerning the arrangements for his funeral or the disposition of his remains, any of the next of kin may petition the circuit court where the decedent resided at the time of his death to determine which of the next of kin shall have the authority to make arrangements for the decedent's funeral or the disposition of his remains. The court may require notice to and the convening of such of the next of kin as it deems proper.
B. In determining the matter before it, the court shall consider the expressed wishes, if any, of the decedent, the legal and factual relationship between or among the disputing next of kin and between each of the disputing next of kin and the decedent, and any other factor the court considers relevant to determine who should be authorized to make the arrangements for the decedent's funeral or the disposition of his remains.
C. When there is a disagreement among a decedent's next of kin concerning the arrangements for his funeral or the disposition of his remains, at least one of the next of kin shall, within 48 hours of the funeral service establishment receiving the decedent's remains, notify such funeral service establishment of the dispute, at which time the funeral service establishment shall immediately stop making arrangements for the decedent's funeral or for the disposition of the decedent's remains until such time as an agreement is reached by the disputing next of kin or a court of appropriate jurisdiction has ruled on any petition filed by such disputing next of kin.
If, after 30 days of learning of a dispute, the funeral service establishment has not received written notice of agreement among the next of kin or a court order resolving the dispute, the funeral service establishment may proceed with the funeral and disposition arrangements upon authorization from any next of kin or in accordance with § 54.1-2807.02 . The funeral service establishment shall not be liable for complying with the provisions of this subsection.
D. If there is a dispute regarding the identity of any persons who have the right to make arrangements and otherwise be responsible for the decedent's funeral and the disposition of such decedent's remains, a funeral service establishment shall not be liable for refusing to dispose of the decedent's remains or complete the arrangements for the final disposition of such remains until the funeral service establishment receives a court order or written agreement signed by the disputing next of kin that establishes the final disposition of the decedent's remains.
If the funeral service establishment retains the decedent's remains for final disposition while any such dispute is pending, the funeral service establishment may embalm or refrigerate and shelter the decedent's body for preservation purposes pursuant to § 54.1-2811.1 until the dispute is resolved. Any person or persons adjudged or agreed to have the right to make arrangements and otherwise be responsible for the decedent's funeral and the disposition of the decedent's remains shall be responsible for any costs incurred by the funeral service establishment pursuant to this subsection.
2010, c. 383 ; 2024, c. 200 ; 2025, c. 253 .