(1) Upon identifying the body, the medical examiner shall immediately attempt to locate the next of kin or responsible friends to obtain the designation of a funeral home to which the deceased is to be taken.
(2) If unable to promptly obtain a designation of funeral home from the next of kin or responsible friends, the medical examiner or medical-legal death investigator shall designate the funeral home. In designating the funeral home, the medical examiner or medical-legal death investigator shall be fair and equitable among the funeral homes listed in the office of the district medical examiner. [1973 c.408 §16; 2017 c.151 §17]