In the case of minors, who has the authority to make dispositions?

In matters concerning the disposition of remains for minors, the law typically grants that authority to the parents. This responsibility is primarily based on the recognition of the parents' legal rights and duties to their children. Parents are considered the primary decision-makers regarding the welfare and affairs of their children, which extends to decisions about their remains after death.

While guardians can also have some authority in certain situations, they generally act in the absence of the parents or when granted specific rights through legal mechanisms such as custody or guardianship arrangements. Adult siblings do not generally have the authority to make such decisions unless the parents are deceased, incapacitated, or have relinquished that right in some way. Public fiduciaries are involved in specific legal scenarios, often pertaining to cases with no available relatives, but they do not hold primary authority when parents are alive and able to make decisions.

This framework reflects the legal understanding of family roles and responsibilities, ensuring that the closest family members—primarily the parents—maintain the right to make these crucial decisions regarding the disposition of their minor child's remains.