When is the coroner prohibited by law from charging a fee for removing a body from the place of death?

• A. When the body is that of an individual not more than 18 years of age
• B. When the body is that of an individual not more than 16 years of age
• C. When the body is that of an individual not more than 14 years of age
• D. When the body is that of an individual not more than 12 years of age

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the public role of the coroner and who bears the cost for the initial removal from the death scene. In California law, removing a body from the place of death is treated as part of the coroner’s official duties. When the decedent is a minor, specifically not more than fourteen years old, the coroner is prohibited from charging a fee for that removal. This rule is designed to lessen financial burdens on families at a very difficult time and to ensure the process proceeds promptly and with dignity, typically funded or supported by public resources or the agency’s budget.

For older individuals, the rules about charging for removal can differ, depending on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances. The key point is the age-based protection: up to fourteen years old, removal by the coroner must be without charge, reflecting a policy that the most vulnerable cases receive no-cost handling from this public service.