---
title: O.C.G.A. § 45-16-25.1. Releasing remains of deceased to next of kin; exception.
collection: code
id: 45-16-25.1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 45-16-25.1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-25.1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-25.1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-25.1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t45-(v33)-2016-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=cde47f8a_0#page=446
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-16-25.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES / CORONERS / DEATH INVESTIGATIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 45-16-25.1. Releasing remains of deceased to next of kin; exception.

A dead body, other than skeletal remains, taken into custody under this article shall be released to the next of kin of the deceased, or to the agent of the next of kin, no later than 24 hours after the demand for release by that next of kin, or agent thereof, unless by that time the peace officer, medical examiner, or coroner has made a written finding that foul play may have been involved in the death of the deceased.

## History

Code 1981, § 45-16-25.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 728, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1735, § 3.