To whom must public agencies surrender human remains when a legal disposition is required?

The correct answer is rooted in the legal and ethical frameworks governing the handling of human remains, particularly in instances where a legal disposition is mandated. When public agencies are required to arrange for the lawful disposition of human remains, they are obligated to surrender those remains to any physician or surgeon, or to accredited educational institutions. This provision exists to ensure that there are options for medical and educational purposes, such as research, education, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

Accredited educational institutions typically engage with human remains for educational purposes, such as anatomy classes or other medical training, providing an essential role in healthcare education and research. By allowing physicians and accredited institutions to take possession of human remains, the legislation aims to balance respect for the deceased with the needs of medical and educational fields.

In this context, the other answer choices do not fully align with the legal framework established by Washington laws. For instance, public agencies are not required to surrender remains to anyone with a regional interest, local governments for burial in public cemeteries, or immediate family members only, unless those entities are also recognized under the established guidelines for the lawful disposition of human remains. Each of these groups may have specific roles or rights later in the process, but they do not encompass the primary obligation