Who is responsible for notifying the funeral director of the death of any person caused by a reportable disease?

• A. The next of kin or other family member
• B. The hospital facility or the county health officer
• C. The attending physician or nurse
• D. There is no such requirement under California law

Answer: (B)

When a death results from a reportable disease, public health procedures require the information to be channeled through official authorities so the case can be handled safely and investigated if needed. The hospital facility or the county health officer is responsible for notifying the funeral director in these cases. This ensures the remains are processed with proper infection-control measures and that the public health authorities can coordinate any required steps. The next of kin isn’t tasked with this notification, and while the attending physician or nurse may report to public health, they don’t bear the obligation to directly inform the funeral home. There is a specific requirement, so saying there isn’t one isn’t correct.