When does a funeral director have the authority to recover charges immediately after death?

A funeral director's authority to recover charges immediately after death is primarily justified when there are no relatives or responsible parties available to take charge of the deceased. In such scenarios, the funeral director is often required to step in to ensure that proper arrangements are made for the disposition of the body. This responsibility includes managing the associated costs, which can be billed immediately given the urgency of handling the deceased's remains and complying with legal requirements.

The other options lack the necessary context or authority to support immediate charge recovery. Family direction is important for making decisions about the deceased but does not inherently grant the authority to charge immediately. Holding a valid license is essential for providing funeral services, yet it doesn’t directly relate to charge recovery timing. Notification by the state health department triggers obligations related to the handling of a deceased's remains but does not imply that the funeral director can charge immediately without established responsibility or authority from the next of kin or legal representatives.