Final answer:
The funeral director is responsible for the temporary preservation of remains when a family requests delayed burial with refrigeration. Refrigeration is used as an alternative to embalming, and it is part of the funeral director's duty to manage the care of the deceased.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a family requests delayed burial with refrigeration instead of embalming, the responsible party for the temporary preservation of the remains is generally the funeral director. The funeral director, or mortician, is in charge of the care of the deceased which includes refrigeration, embalming, restorative art, and overseeing the actual burial or cremation. Refrigeration is an alternative to embalming and serves to slow down the decomposition process, providing an environmentally friendlier option for preserving the body until the time of burial or cremation.
In certain jurisdictions, specific requirements might involve the involvement of a coroner or medical examiner if the death was unexpected or if there is a need to determine the cause of death, but these professionals are not typically in charge of the ongoing care of the body post-autopsy. Instead, the funeral director resumes responsibility for the body's preservation and preparation for final arrangements based on the family’s wishes.