In order to service our families in the best and most helpful way possible, we’ve made the following forms available online so you can conveniently fill out the necessary documents and forms in the comfort of your home. Once you have completed them, you could e-mail, fax, or mail them via US mail service back to Forest Lawn. You could also bring the completed forms with you to your scheduled appointment with your Memorial Counselor.
Please note that, legally, the person filling and signing these forms must have the legal rights to make arrangements for the decedent. This is usually the next of kin, which, in the following order, is:
- An agent under a Power of Attorney for Healthcare
- Surviving spouse
- Adult child, if only child; or majority of adult children if more than one
- Parent(s)
- Adult sibling, if only one sibling; or majority of adult siblings if more than one
- Adult person or persons respectively in the next degree of kinship
- Conservator of the person appointed under Probate Code
- Conservator of the estate appointed under Probate Code
- Public Administrator
Authorization for Release of Remains
The person with the right to control disposition completes this form in order for Forest Lawn to transfer your loved one into our care.
LA Coroners Release Form
The County of Los Angeles requires that those with the right to control disposition of the remains sign an Order for Release Form. This allows the release of the decedent’s remains from the coroner to Forest Lawn. To complete the form, Forest Lawn needs information on the decedent including health diagnosis and history, and details of death.
San Bernardino County Release Forms
The County of San Bernardino requires that those with the right to control disposition of the remains sign an Order for Release Form. This allows the release of the decedent’s remains from the coroner to Forest Lawn. To complete the form, Forest Lawn needs information on the decedent including health diagnosis and history, and details of death.
Riverside County Release Form
Riverside County requires that those with the right to control disposition of the remains sign an Order for Release Form. This allows the release of the decedent’s remains from the coroner to Forest Lawn. To complete the form, Forest Lawn needs information on the decedent including health diagnosis and history as well as details of death. Please complete both pages. The first page will permit Forest Lawn to pick up and transfer your loved one into our care; and the second page releases their personal property to Forest Lawn.
Embalming Authorization
By completing this form, you give Forest Lawn permission to embalm your loved one. Please note that the law does not require embalming. The name of the decedent and the person who has the legal right to control disposition must be completed on the form.
Declaration of Disposition of Cremated Remains
This form fulfills a legal requirement for Forest Lawn to state where the cremated remains in their care will go after the process is completed. The name of the decedent and who has the legal right to control disposition must be completed on this form.
CA Requirement for Death Certificate and Permit for Disposition
Forest Lawn provides the highest standards of service in the Coachella Valley. However, we cannot proceed with an interment or cremation without a death certificate or permit for disposition. Your signature is required on this form to release Forest Lawn from all liabilities in the event that there is a delay.
Appointment Checklist
This list summarizes needed items to move forward with funeral arrangements as well as pertinent information required by law to complete the death certificate.
Veteran Forms
Military Records Request Form
You may request military records from all United States military branches. This is available free of charge if your loved one served after 1957, or for a nominal fee if he or she served prior to 1957. To have the quickest response time, as many fields as possible should be filled out on page two, including all service dates and where to return the documents. Page three lists all address codes and addresses to mail this form once completed.
Application for Burial Benefits
There are four sections to the Application for Burial Benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Which you complete is depends if you are claiming plot allowance only, or burial and/or interment as well. Please be sure to provide all information on cause of death—service related or not—as well as all expenses allowance in order to receive financial reimbursement.
Application for Presidential Memorial Certificate
As a way to honor your Veteran’s memory, the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes service in the United States military by preparing an engraved paper certificate that the current President has signed. The next of kin may request this by filling out the form and providing military documents.