When pre-planning any type of funeral service, you should be aware of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code, of the State of California. This code addresses who has the legal right and obligation to authorize and arrange funeral services. Often times, when a person dies and leaves no instructions regarding their funeral, the responsibility of making the final decisions lies with the next of kin. This may be a spouse, child, grandchild, brother, sister, niece or nephew. If the next of kin is not a blood relative, such as a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, or stepchild, the county or state may assist in the funeral arrangements. However, if a person leaves some type of written instruction regarding the type of services they desire, those instructions must be carried out.