New York Consolidated Laws, Correction Law - COR § 662. Disposition of body

1. Prior to the execution, the convicted person shall be given the opportunity to decide in writing to whom his or her body shall be delivered after the execution.  The commissioner or his or her designee shall sign and authorize the convicted person's request if the request is not contrary to law.  If the convicted person does not indicate to whom such person's body shall be delivered, or if the person's request is contrary to law, the commissioner may deliver the convicted person's body to a relative by blood or marriage or a bona fide friend.  If the body is not claimed by a relative or bona fide friend within seven days after execution, the body shall be delivered to a duly authorized and incorporated pathological and anatomical association in the state, if requested by an authorized association.

2. If the body of the convicted person is not claimed by a relative, bona fide friend, or a duly authorized and incorporated pathological and anatomical association, the commissioner shall cause the body to be disposed of in the same manner as are bodies of prisoners dying in the institution.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no autopsy shall be required for the body of an inmate upon whom a sentence of death has been carried out.