§30-6-22 Disposition of body of deceased person; penalty. - West Virginia Statutes

§30-6-22. Disposition of body of deceased person; penalty.
(a) No public officer, employee, physician or surgeon, or any other person having a professional relationship with the deceased, shall send, or cause to be sent, to any embalmer, funeral director or crematory operator the body of any deceased without first inquiring the desires of the next of kin, or any persons who may be chargeable with the funeral expenses of the deceased. If any next of kin or person can be found, his or her authority and direction shall be used as to the disposal of the body of the deceased.

(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars, nor more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than ten days nor more than ninety days, or both.