OSCN Found Document:Right to Control Disposition of Remains - Persons in Whom Vested
Title 21. Crimes and Punishments

Oklahoma Statutes Citationized
  Title 21. Crimes and Punishments
    Chapter 47 - Human Remains and Tissue, Burial, Cemeteries, and Funerals
        Section 1158 - Right to Control Disposition of Remains - Persons in Whom Vested
Cite as: O.S. §, __ __


The right to control the disposition of the remains of a deceased person, the location, manner and conditions of disposition, and arrangements for funeral goods and services vests in the following order, provided the person is eighteen (18) years of age or older and of sound mind:

1. The decedent, provided the decedent has entered into a pre-need funeral services contract or executed a written document that meets the requirements of the State of Oklahoma;

2. A representative appointed by the decedent by means of an executed and witnessed written document meeting the requirements of the State of Oklahoma;

3. The surviving spouse;

4. The sole surviving adult child of the decedent whose whereabouts is reasonably ascertained or if there is more than one adult child of the decedent, the majority of the surviving adult children whose whereabouts are reasonably ascertained;

5. The surviving parent or parents of the decedent, whose whereabouts are reasonably ascertained;

6. The surviving adult brother or sister of the decedent whose whereabouts is reasonably ascertained, or if there is more than one adult sibling of the decedent, the majority of the adult surviving siblings, whose whereabouts are reasonably ascertained;

7. The guardian of the person of the decedent at the time of the death of the decedent, if one had been appointed;

8. The person in the classes of the next degree of kinship, in descending order, under the laws of descent and distribution to inherit the estate of the decedent. If there is more than one person of the same degree, any person of that degree may exercise the right of disposition;

9. If the decedent was an indigent person or other person the final disposition of whose body is the financial responsibility of the state or a political subdivision of the state, the public officer or employee responsible for arranging the final disposition of the remains of the decedent; and

10. In the absence of any person under paragraphs 1 through 9 of this section, any other person willing to assume the responsibilities to act and arrange the final disposition of the remains of the decedent, including the personal representative of the estate of the decedent or the funeral director with custody of the body, after attesting in writing that a good-faith effort has been made to no avail to contact the individuals under paragraphs 1 through 9 of this section.

Historical Data


R.L. 1910, § 2453; Amended by Laws 1997, HB 1335, c. 197, § 2, eff. November 1, 1997 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2011, HB 1355, c. 208, § 1, eff. November 1, 2011 (superseded document available).

Citationizer® Summary of Documents Citing This Document
Cite Name Level
Oklahoma Attorney General's Opinions
 CiteNameLevel
 2009 OK AG 10, Question Submitted by: Lloyd Brown, Executive Director, Oklahoma Funeral BoardCited
Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals Cases
 CiteNameLevel
 1996 OK CIV APP 1, 916 P.2d 269, 67 OBJ 1622, Brady v. Criswell Funeral Home, Inc.Cited
 2023 OK CIV APP 46, 540 P.3d 516, IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ATKESONDiscussed at Length
Oklahoma Supreme Court Cases
 CiteNameLevel
 2020 OK 88, 475 P.3d 862, IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FORESEEDiscussed at Length
 2021 OK 17, 489 P.3d 9, IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DOWNINGDiscussed at Length
 2023 OK 80, 533 P.3d 764, GUILBEAU v. DURANT H.M.A.Discussed
Title 59. Professions and Occupations
 CiteNameLevel
 59 O.S. 396.2, DefinitionsCited
Title 63. Public Health and Safety
 CiteNameLevel
 63 O.S. 1-317, Death Certificate - Filing - Duty - Contents - Final Review - LiabilityDiscussed
 63 O.S. 1-317, Death Certificate - Filing - Duty - Contents - Final Review - LiabilityDiscussed
Citationizer: Table of Authority
Cite Name Level
Title 21. Crimes and Punishments
 CiteNameLevel
 21 O.S. 1151, Right to Direct the Disposal of One's BodyCited