{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2973.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2973.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2973.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2973.html"}],"law_id":80891,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80891,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2973","catch_line":"Persons who may authorize postmortem examination of decedent’s body","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 32-364.4:1; 1973, c. 357; 1979, c. 720, \u00a7 54-325.8; 1986, c. 237; 1988, c. 765; 1998, c. 718; 2014, c. 583.","full_text":"Any of the following persons, in order of priority stated, may authorize and consent to a postmortem examination and autopsy on a decedent’s body for the purpose of determining the cause of death of the decedent, for the advancement of medical or dental education and research, or for the general advancement of medical or dental science, if: (i) no person in a higher class exists or no person in a higher class is available at the time authorization or consent is given, (ii) there is no actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent, and (iii) there is no actual notice of opposition by a member of the same or a prior class.\n\t\tThe order of priority shall be as follows: (1) any person designated to make arrangements for the disposition of the decedent’s remains upon his death pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-2825; (2) the spouse; (3) an adult son or daughter; (4) either parent; (5) an adult brother or sister; (6) a guardian of the person of the decedent at the time of his death; or (7) any other person authorized or under legal obligation to dispose of the body.\n\t\tIf the physician or surgeon has actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent or of opposition to an autopsy by a member of the same or a prior class, the autopsy shall not be performed. The persons authorized herein may authorize or consent to the autopsy after death or before death.\n\t\tIn cases of death where official inquiry is authorized or required by law, the provisions of Article 1 (\u00a7 32.1-277 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 32.1 shall apply. If at the time of death, a postmortem examination is authorized or required by law, any prior authorization or consent pursuant to this section shall not be valid unless the body is released by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.\n\t\tA surgeon or physician acting in accordance with the terms of this section shall not have any liability, civil or criminal, for the performance of the autopsy.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":289955,"text":"Any of the following persons, in order of priority stated, may authorize and consent to a postmortem examination and autopsy on a decedent’s body for the purpose of determining the cause of death of the decedent, for the advancement of medical or dental education and research, or for the general advancement of medical or dental science, if: (i) no person in a higher class exists or no person in a higher class is available at the time authorization or consent is given, (ii) there is no actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent, and (iii) there is no actual notice of opposition by a member of the same or a prior class.\n\t\tThe order of priority shall be as follows: (1) any person designated to make arrangements for the disposition of the decedent’s remains upon his death pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-2825; (2) the spouse; (3) an adult son or daughter; (4) either parent; (5) an adult brother or sister; (6) a guardian of the person of the decedent at the time of his death; or (7) any other person authorized or under legal obligation to dispose of the body.\n\t\tIf the physician or surgeon has actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent or of opposition to an autopsy by a member of the same or a prior class, the autopsy shall not be performed. The persons authorized herein may authorize or consent to the autopsy after death or before death.\n\t\tIn cases of death where official inquiry is authorized or required by law, the provisions of Article 1 (\u00a7 32.1-277 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 32.1 shall apply. If at the time of death, a postmortem examination is authorized or required by law, any prior authorization or consent pursuant to this section shall not be valid unless the body is released by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.\n\t\tA surgeon or physician acting in accordance with the terms of this section shall not have any liability, civil or criminal, for the performance of the autopsy.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":12760,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Standards of Practice","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12759,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":242459,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12760,"identifier":"6","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12759,"edition_id":1,"name":"Medicine and Other Healing Arts","identifier":"29","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12759,"identifier":"29","token":"54.1\/III\/29","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57243,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2962","catch_line":"Division of fees among physicians prohibited","url":"\/54.1-2962\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2962","metadata":false},{"id":61370,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2962.01","catch_line":"Anatomic pathology services; fees","url":"\/54.1-2962.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2962.01","metadata":false},{"id":69059,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2962.1","catch_line":"Solicitation or receipt of remuneration in exchange for referral prohibited","url":"\/54.1-2962.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2962.1","metadata":false},{"id":61450,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2962.2","catch_line":"Physician-patient relationship; effect of certain emergency department treatment","url":"\/54.1-2962.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2962.2","metadata":false},{"id":53953,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2963","catch_line":"Selling vitamins or food supplements in connection with a practice of the healing arts; chiropractor recommending vitamins, minerals, or food supplements","url":"\/54.1-2963\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2963","metadata":false},{"id":85230,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2963.1","catch_line":"Disclosure of medical treatment options","url":"\/54.1-2963.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2963.1","metadata":false},{"id":80734,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2963.2","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/54.1-2963.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2963.2","metadata":false},{"id":74620,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2964","catch_line":"Disclosure of interest in referral facilities and clinical laboratories","url":"\/54.1-2964\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2964","metadata":false},{"id":58159,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2965","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2965\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2965","metadata":false},{"id":65325,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2966","catch_line":"Physicians reporting disabilities to aircraft pilots licensing authorities exempt from liability; testifying in certain proceedings","url":"\/54.1-2966\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2966","metadata":false},{"id":82938,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2966.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2966.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2966.1","metadata":false},{"id":68976,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2967","catch_line":"Physicians and others rendering medical aid to report certain wounds","url":"\/54.1-2967\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2967","metadata":false},{"id":72506,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2968","catch_line":"Information about certain individuals with disabilities","url":"\/54.1-2968\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2968","metadata":false},{"id":54830,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2969","catch_line":"Authority to consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors","url":"\/54.1-2969\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2969","metadata":false},{"id":83134,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2970","catch_line":"Medical treatment for certain persons incapable of giving informed consent","url":"\/54.1-2970\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2970","metadata":false},{"id":76802,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2970.1","catch_line":"Individual incapable of making informed decision; procedure for physical evidence recovery kit examination; consent by minors","url":"\/54.1-2970.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2970.1","metadata":false},{"id":71025,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2971","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2971\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2971","metadata":false},{"id":57814,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2971.01","catch_line":"Prescription in excess of recommended dosage in certain cases","url":"\/54.1-2971.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2971.01","metadata":false},{"id":79526,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2971.1","catch_line":"Disclosure for certain treatment of infertility","url":"\/54.1-2971.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2971.1","metadata":false},{"id":59523,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2972","catch_line":"When person deemed medically and legally dead; determination of death; nurses', licensed practical nurses', physician assistants', or advanced practice registered nurses' authority to pronounce death under certain circumstances","url":"\/54.1-2972\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2972","metadata":false},{"id":80891,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2973","catch_line":"Persons who may authorize postmortem examination of decedent's body","url":"\/54.1-2973\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2973","metadata":false},{"id":74475,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2973.1","catch_line":"Practice of laser hair removal","url":"\/54.1-2973.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2973.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59523,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2972","catch_line":"When person deemed medically and legally dead; determination of death; nurses', licensed practical nurses', physician assistants', or advanced practice registered nurses' authority to pronounce death under certain circumstances","url":"\/54.1-2972\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2972","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74475,"structure_id":12760,"section_number":"54.1-2973.1","catch_line":"Practice of laser hair removal","url":"\/54.1-2973.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2973.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2973\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 357; in 1979, chapter 720; in 1986, chapter 237; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1998, chapter 718<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 583<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":63189,"section_number":"32.1-277","catch_line":"Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; central and district offices and facilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-277\/"},{"id":84076,"section_number":"54.1-2825","catch_line":"Person to make arrangements for funeral and disposition of remains","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2825\/"}],"permalink":{"id":242541,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80891,"identifier":"54.1-2973","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2973","url":"\/54.1-2973\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2973\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/6\/54.1-2973","dublin_core":{"Title":"Persons who may authorize postmortem examination of decedent’s body","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2973","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any of the following persons, in order<\/span> of priority stated, may authorize and consent to a postmortem examination and autopsy on a decedent’s body for the purpose of determining the cause of death of the decedent, for the advancement of medical or dental education and research, or for the general advancement of medical or dental science, if: (i) no person in a higher class exists or no person in a higher class is available at the time authorization or consent is given, (ii) there is no actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent, and (iii) there is no actual notice of opposition by a member of the same or a prior class.\n\t\tThe order<\/span> of priority shall be as follows: (1) any person designated to make arrangements for the disposition<\/span> of the decedent’s remains upon his death pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-2825<\/a>; (2) the spouse; (3) an adult son or daughter; (4) either parent; (5) an adult brother or sister; (6) a guardian of the person of the decedent at the time of his death; or (7) any other person authorized or under legal obligation to dispose of the body.\n\t\tIf the physician or surgeon has actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent or of opposition to an autopsy by a member of the same or a prior class, the autopsy shall not be performed. The persons authorized herein may authorize or consent to the autopsy after death or before death.\n\t\tIn cases of death where official inquiry is authorized or required by law<\/span>, the provisions of Article 1 (\u00a7 32.1-277<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 32.1 shall apply. If at the time of death, a postmortem examination is authorized or required by law<\/span>, any prior authorization or consent pursuant to this section shall not be valid unless the body is released by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.\n\t\tA surgeon or physician acting in accordance with the terms of this section shall not have any liability, civil or criminal, for the performance of the autopsy.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERSONS WHO MAY AUTHORIZE POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION OF DECEDENT’S BODY (\u00a7\n54.1-2973)\n\nAny of the following persons, in order of priority stated, may authorize and\nconsent to a postmortem examination and autopsy on a decedent’s body for\nthe purpose of determining the cause of death of the decedent, for the\nadvancement of medical or dental education and research, or for the general\nadvancement of medical or dental science, if: (i) no person in a higher class\nexists or no person in a higher class is available at the time authorization or\nconsent is given, (ii) there is no actual notice of contrary indications by the\ndecedent, and (iii) there is no actual notice of opposition by a member of the\nsame or a prior class.\n\t\tThe order of priority shall be as follows: (1) any person designated to make\narrangements for the disposition of the decedent’s remains upon his death\npursuant to \u00a7 54.1-2825; (2) the spouse; (3) an adult son or daughter; (4)\neither parent; (5) an adult brother or sister; (6) a guardian of the person of\nthe decedent at the time of his death; or (7) any other person authorized or\nunder legal obligation to dispose of the body.\n\t\tIf the physician or surgeon has actual notice of contrary indications by the\ndecedent or of opposition to an autopsy by a member of the same or a prior\nclass, the autopsy shall not be performed. The persons authorized herein may\nauthorize or consent to the autopsy after death or before death.\n\t\tIn cases of death where official inquiry is authorized or required by law, the\nprovisions of Article 1 (\u00a7 32.1-277 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 32.1 shall\napply. If at the time of death, a postmortem examination is authorized or\nrequired by law, any prior authorization or consent pursuant to this section\nshall not be valid unless the body is released by the Office of the Chief\nMedical Examiner.\n\t\tA surgeon or physician acting in accordance with the terms of this section\nshall not have any liability, civil or criminal, for the performance of the\nautopsy.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 32-364.4:1; 1973, c. 357; 1979, c. 720, \u00a7 54-325.8;\n1986, c. 237; 1988, c. 765; 1998, c. 718; 2014, c. 583.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}