Which age must a person be to consent to the autopsy of a relative?

In Missouri, the legal age at which an individual can consent to an autopsy for a relative is 16 years old. This means that individuals who are 16 or older have the legal capacity to make this decision without parental or guardian involvement. The age requirement is set within the context of recognizing that at 16, individuals are considered to have attained a level of maturity and understanding necessary to participate in such significant decisions regarding medical and legal processes related to death.

Autopsies can have critical implications for understanding the cause of death and informing public health records, and as such, the state law reflects a balance between maturity and the seriousness of the autopsy's implications. Consensual procedures surrounding autopsies typically involve immediate family members, but the stipulation that those aged 16 can consent aligns with their growing autonomy as they approach adulthood.