California Code, Government Code - GOV § 31783

If the nominated beneficiary cannot be found by the board, or if the nominated beneficiary is the estate of the deceased person, the board in its discretion may pay to the undertaker who conducted the funeral all or a portion of the amount payable as a death benefit, but not more than the funeral expenses of the deceased person as evidenced by the sworn itemized statement of the undertaker and by such other documents as the board may require.  Payment so made is a full discharge of the board and system for the amount so paid.