Final answer:
When a person passes away without a will, state laws determine the hierarchy of heirs, which typically includes the spouse, children, and other relatives. The spouse often comes first in line for inheritance. The disposition of remains is usually managed by the estate's executor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The possible heirs of a person's estate when someone dies intestate, meaning without a will, are determined by the state's intestacy laws which often follow a particular hierarchical order. Typically, heirs might include the spouse of the deceased, adult children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, and possibly more distant relatives such as grandparents. In inheritance law, the spouse often has primacy, followed by the children, and then others more distantly related. The handling of the deceased's remains is typically the responsibility of the executor of the estate, which could be a family member or appointed individual.