Sec. 691.024. PERSONS WHO MAY CLAIM BODY FOR BURIAL. (a) An officer, employee, or representative of the state, of a political subdivision, or of an institution is not required to give notice or deliver a body as required by Section 691.023 if the body is claimed for burial.

(b) A relative, bona fide friend, or representative of an organization to which the deceased belonged may claim the body for burial. The person in charge of the body shall release the body to the claimant without requiring payment when the person is satisfied that the claimed relationship exists.

(c) A claimant alleging to be a bona fide friend or a representative of an organization to which the deceased belonged must present a written statement of the relationship under which the claimant qualifies as a bona fide friend or organization representative.

(d) For purposes of this section, a bona fide friend means a person who is like one of the family, and does not include:

(1) an ordinary acquaintance;

(2) an officer, employee, or representative of the state, of a political subdivision, or of an institution having charge of a body not claimed for burial or a body required to be buried at public expense;

(3) an employee of an entity listed in Subdivision (2) with which the deceased was associated; or

(4) a patient, inmate, or ward of an institution with which the deceased was associated.

(e) A person covered by Subsection (d) may qualify as a bona fide friend if the friendship existed before the deceased entered the institution.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.