(a) Whenever the coroner takes custody of a dead body pursuant to law, he or she shall make a reasonable attempt to locate the family. After a reasonable attempt, the coroner may embalm the body or authorize the embalming by a mortician for purposes of preserving the remains for evidence, to prevent microbial and contagious disease hazards, or for investigative functions. If the embalming has been requested by the family or by a person authorized to take charge of the body prior to such embalming, and such family or person has agreed to accept the expense, the coroner may charge and collect up to one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135). Any family, however, which has not been located within 24 hours of the custody by the coroner of the body, shall not be charged more than sixty-five dollars ($65).

This subdivision shall only apply to counties that own and maintain a central morgue with a paid, full-time staff that performs embalming.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (a), whenever the coroner takes custody of a dead body pursuant to law, he or she may embalm the body, and charge and collect up to one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135) from the person entitled to its custody, except when the body is that of a child not more than 14 years of age or a person for whose burial there is available less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150), in which cases the expense of embalming is a county charge. In any county where the coroner is paid a salary, the fee shall be paid into the county treasury, except that the board of supervisors may order that the fee be paid to the coroner if the coroner is a funeral director in the county.

(c) The board of supervisors shall by ordinance establish the fee to be charged pursuant to this section.

(d) The board of supervisors may increase the amount of the fees specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) pursuant to Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 54985) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5.

(Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 182, Sec. 1.)