Who is considered the next of kin?

The legal next of kin is the closest living relative in the following order: spouse (unless divorced), adult child, parent, adult brother or sister, adult grandchild. Common law marriage was abolished in Pennsylvania as of January 2, 2005. This means you must be legally married in order to be considered a spouse, regardless of length of cohabitation or whether there are children who are issue of the relationship.

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1. What does the Coroner's Office do?
2. What are the types of deaths investigated by the Coroner's Office?
3. Where is the jurisdiction of the Chester County Coroner?
4. How do I report a death?
5. How do I obtain a death certificate?
6. Can I see my loved one at the morgue?
7. What is an autopsy and why is one performed?
8. How do I obtain the results of an autopsy or toxicology findings?
9. Who is considered the next of kin?
10. When will I know the cause of death?
11. What does a "pending" case mean?
12. How and when can personal property/possessions be claimed?
13. When will the body be released?
14. What do I do now?
15. What funeral home should I choose?