WTF?

My father in law passed away this past week.  He lived in a different state.  His girlfriend had him cremated within 24 hours of his death.  Ummmm, since when can someone with no legal rights or no relation have a body burned without notification of the next of kin to be given the opportunity to pay their final respects?  I think this funeral home qualifies as bad service.  Possibly illegal and certainly unethical.