In Louisiana, each certified copy costs $7Louisiana Department of Health - Vital Records RegistryVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Copies ordered together cost less than separate orders placed later. The Louisiana estate settlement plan lists the accounts and institutions that each want a certified copy.
Standard processing in Louisiana takes 8-10 weeks for mail ordersLouisiana Department of Health - Vital Records RegistryVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. A funeral home's order at the time of death usually arrives first.
Louisiana sets a statutory order for who controls the disposition of remains: surviving spouse, then majority of surviving adult children, then majority of surviving adult grandchildrenLa. R.S. 8:655Verified Jul 13, 2026View source. The state allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written documentLa. R.S. 8:655; La. R.S. 37:876Verified Jul 13, 2026View source, and that designation takes priority over the default order. Those wishes can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
Louisiana imposes no statutory minimum waiting periodLa. R.S. 37:831Verified Jul 13, 2026View source before cremation. A medical examiner or coroner authorizes the cremation before it proceeds. Authorizing agent per R.S. 37:876 priority, signed cremation authorization form witnessed by a funeral director, notarized, or executed before two witnesses (R.S. 37:877). Coroner must be notified and must issue a cremation permit (R.S. 13:5716).
Louisiana allows estates valued at $200,000La. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less to use the Small Succession AffidavitLa. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which avoids full probate administration. The Small Succession Affidavit is presented directly to the bank, employer, or other holder of the property — it is not filed with a court. There is no statutory waiting period.