Tennessee PROBATE — Disposal of Bodily Remains is the process of determining the final disposition of a decedent's remains. This includes obtaining documents that provide legal authority to act on behalf of the decedent, such as a death certificate and letters of administration. The court system in Tennessee is responsible for supervising the process. The two main types of Tennessee PROBATE — Disposal of Bodily Remains are direct disposition, wherein the decedent's remains are directly disposed of in accordance with the decedent's wishes, and indirect disposition, wherein the decedent's remains are disposed of in accordance with the wishes of the decedent's family. In either case, the court must approve the final disposition of the remains. In direct disposition, the decedent's wishes must be established either through a written document, such as a will, or through the testimony of two or more witnesses. The court must then approve the disposition and issue a court order directing the appropriate parties to act accordingly. In indirect disposition, the decedent's family must establish the decedent's wishes either through a written document, such as a will, or through the testimony of two or more witnesses. The court must then approve the disposition and issue a court order directing the appropriate parties to act accordingly. In either case, the court must be satisfied that the decedent's wishes are being honored and that the disposition is in accordance with state law. Once the court order is issued, the appropriate parties must take the necessary steps to carry out the disposition.