Who is responsible for giving consent for embalming in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the legal representative of the deceased is responsible for giving consent for embalming. This representative often includes an executor or administrator of the estate or a person designated to handle the decedent's affairs. Consent must come from someone who has the legal authority to make decisions regarding the disposition of the deceased person's remains. This legal framework ensures that the wishes of the deceased, as expressed in any relevant documents such as a will or other directives, are respected and followed in the funeral and embalming process.

The other responses do not hold legal validity in this context. While family members may have a voice in decisions regarding the treatment of the deceased, unless they are the legally designated representative, their consent is not legally recognized. The attending physician's role primarily involves medical aspects and does not extend to the legal authority over the remains after death. The funeral home itself cannot autonomously give consent for embalming, as doing so would require legal authorization, which must come from the designated representative.