If a non married single parent commits suicide who gains guardianship of children?

Hopefully the person deceased has left a Will with provisions for the children. If not, then the courts prefer the children to go to a relative in the family. If there are no relatives then the childen will become a ward of the courts. If there is a close friend that can prove they can finally support and raise these children in a loving environment and there is not contest from family of the deceased there is a big chance that friend can raise the children.