Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 7114
Any person who performs, permits or assists at, an autopsy on a dead body without having first obtained (a) the authorization of the deceased in writing, including, but not limited to, the last will of the deceased; or (b) the authorization in writing of the person designated by Section 7100 of this code as having the right to control the disposition of the remains of the deceased; or (c) in the case of a cemetery authority or a licensed funeral director or a licensed hospital or its agents or a physician, the written or verbal authorization described in Section 7113 or 7151.6 of this code, is guilty of a misdemeanor, except that this section shall not be applicable to the performance of an autopsy by the coroner or other officer authorized by law to perform autopsies.
Ca. Health and Saf. Code § 7114