Pennsylvania Statutes Title 16 P.S. Counties § 9522. Disposition of body and effects

That in all cases of sudden or violent death, where it appears the cause of death is not surrounded by any suspicious circumstances, the body of the deceased shall be sent immediately by the police or health authorities, if the death shall occur away from the home or residence of the deceased, to the same, or to such relatives or friends who may claim the body; or, in absence of any knowledge as to the person, his or her home, residence, relatives or friends, the health board or police authorities of any county, city, borough or township shall take possession of such body, and keep the same in such place as may be provided by said authorities, for the purpose of remaining for a limited time for identification; and any effects found on the body shall be handed over by said police or health authorities to the coroner or deputy coroner who shall be notified of the death, and the effects found on the body shall be given by the coroner or deputy coroner to those legally entitled to the same: Provided, That the coroner shall have the right to view any such body, and to investigate the facts or causes of said death, if in his opinion the same is required.