Who needs to authorize the release of a body for autopsy or cremation?

The legal next of kin is the correct choice because they are typically recognized by law as having the authority to make decisions regarding the deceased's remains, which includes authorization for processes such as autopsy or cremation. In the context of Nebraska funeral laws, the legal next of kin holds the primary responsibility for granting permission due to their relationship to the deceased. This status ensures that the wishes of the deceased regarding their remains can be respected and fulfilled as per recognized familial and legal hierarchy.

Other options, while potentially involved in the process, do not have the ultimate authority. The attending physician may be responsible for determining the need for an autopsy or for preparing certain documentation, but they do not have the legal power to authorize the release of a body. A court-appointed guardian may have rights in some contexts, but typically, authorization for these specific funeral decisions falls to the legal next of kin. While funeral directors facilitate and manage arrangements, they are not authorized to release a body for these purposes without the appropriate legal consent from the next of kin.