base commander almost always signed an order requiring that we do an exhaustive autopsy. If the order came for something like that then the family would not have the rights to request that all parts/organs be included when the body was transferred out.

If it was a dependent or retiree then it would be less likely the base commander would get involved unless it was a suspicious death that might have criminal charges levied against an active duty member.

My guess is with this being a death/suicide in a federal penitentiary there is a law enforcement request for an exhaustive autopsy to be performed and they would have to abide by that government order first.

I know for a fact that as a person working in the morgue I'd take a phone call and record details about disposition of remains all the time. They then would be reviewed and someone higher up would determine if those were acceptable or if they needed to be amended to meet the autopsy order from superiors.

I'd guess that the "agreement" the family and lawyer felt they had was with someone that just was receiving their requests and not an illegal reversal on an agreement made with someone who has actual authority to release the remains. Or maybe they thought it sounded acceptable but then after cross referencing with the order couldn't comply...