If the authorizing agent is not reasonably available or unable to act, the authority shall pass to __________.

The situation described pertains to the legal hierarchy established for authorizing funeral arrangements when the primary authorizing agent is not available or able to fulfill their role. When the authorizing agent is unavailable, the authority typically passes to the next person in line according to the established order of priority for making such decisions.

This priority list is often established by state laws or regulations, which define who qualifies as an appropriate substitute when the preferred individual cannot act. In many cases, this might mean that a spouse, adult children, parents, or siblings may step in to provide the necessary authorization for the funeral and disposition arrangements.

This process ensures that the deceased's wishes, or those preferences that can be reasonably inferred, are respected by allowing a designated person to take over when the initial agent cannot do so. This chain of succession is crucial in maintaining clarity and efficiency in decision-making during a period that can be emotionally taxing for involved family members. Hence, recognizing that the authority passes to the next individual in line aligns with the typical legal protocols surrounding funeral arrangements.