Who may pre-authorize the embalming process?

The correct answer is that both individuals may pre-authorize the embalming process. Kentucky law allows for two primary avenues of pre-authorization regarding embalming.

Firstly, a person has the right to pre-authorize their own embalming. This means that an individual can make arrangements while still alive, detailing their wishes for embalming services and ensuring that their preferences are respected after their death.

Secondly, the next-of-kin, often a family member or someone holding a close relationship, is also permitted to authorize embalming on behalf of the deceased. This provision acknowledges that in the absence of pre-arranged directives from the deceased individual, close relatives have the authority to make decisions about the handling of the body, including embalming.

This combined framework ensures that personal wishes can be honored while also allowing family members to act if no prior instructions have been provided. Thus, the rationale behind the correct answer encompasses both the rights of individuals to plan for their own posthumous care and the rights of family members to make decisions on their behalf if necessary.