Funeral and cremation law in California

California gives an adult a legally recognized right to control the disposition of their own remains, while also creating a detailed priority list for situations where the person did not leave controlling directions. That means California families should pay attention to who has the legal right to make the decision, especially when there are several surviving relatives.

Cal. Health & Safety Code § 7100Read the statute text · law.justia.comchecked Sep 18, 2026effective Sep 18, 2026

Every licensed funeral establishment with a website must post the goods and services from its general price list on that website, with a statement that the full list is available on request. This is why California prices can be checked without phoning anyone.

Business & Professions Code §7685(b)Read the statute text · california.public.lawchecked Sep 17, 2026

California allows cremated remains and hydrolyzed human remains to be scattered where no local prohibition applies, but the person controlling disposition generally needs written permission from the property owner or governing agency for the property. Beginning January 1, 2027, California's statute also provides rules for integrating reduced human remains into soil where lawful. The simple rule for families is: private property can be possible, but permission matters, and public land is not automatically open for scattering.

Cal. Health & Safety Code § 7116Read the statute · leginfo.legislature.ca.govchecked Sep 18, 2026effective Sep 18, 2026