California Code, Corporations Code - CORP § 21400

Whenever any fraternal society or lodge, other than a society subject to supervision by the Insurance Commissioner, pays benefits contingent on the death of a member, beneficiaries other than the following relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption shall be paid only the excess of the amount of the benefits over the expense of burial of the member:  Spouse, relative by blood to the fourth degree, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepchildren, children by legal adoption, and parents by legal adoption.