Who is allowed to sign for the disposition of remains if the deceased has no relatives?

The individual who is legally designated to sign for the disposition of remains is typically someone who has been granted authority by law or through a legal process. This means that a person who is designated over the age of 18, such as a personal representative or executor of the estate, has the legal right to make decisions regarding the deceased's remains in the absence of relatives. This ensures that the person making decisions is recognized by law and understood to be responsible for handling the remains appropriately.

In contrast, while a family friend might express willingness to be involved, only a legally designated person has the authority to make such decisions formally. A representative from a funeral home, while knowledgeable about the process, typically acts on behalf of the family or designated parties but does not hold automatic legal authority to sign for disposition unless specifically empowered to do so. Lastly, allowing anyone willing to claim the remains lacks legal grounding, as decisions around disposition require a recognized party to assume responsibility, safeguarding against potential disputes or misunderstandings.