Thanks for your reply. Funerals are usually run by state licensed funeral homes. Unless I'm very wrong, releasing the body to "the family" usually means the family's choice of funeral homes but I could be wrong which is why I asked the question.
I think you are right. There are complex regulations in every state. I don't know if every state allows a laying out or viewing within a home; but it would seem that PA did when the Santorum child died; and they probably were very well aware of, and compliant with, any further regulations for burying the child, since Santorum is an attorney.