What do I do when a family member dies?
CALL THE LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER: The police and emergency personnel will respond. If there is a medical history for chronic disease and there is nothing to suggest any other cause of death, the doctor who was treating the deceased will be contacted. The treating doctor is obliged to pronounce death and to issue an appropriate death certificate. The family can have the body moved to the funeral home of their choice. If a Medical Examiner investigation is warranted, then the body will be taken by the Medical Examiner to their location. Upon conclusion of the Medical Examiner's investigation, the body may be released to the funeral home of the family's choice. The family must arrange for the funeral home to contact the appropriate Medical Examiner office.
Where can I obtain a medical examiner report and death certificate?
When a case is investigated by the Medical Examiner, an autopsy report and Report of Investigation by Medical Examiner may be created. If permitted by law these documents may be obtained by writing to the County Medical Examiner Office in the county where the person was pronounced dead. A small fee for copies may be charged. Reports generally take from eight to twelve weeks to be finalized but may take longer dependent upon the circumstances and any specialized testing which may be required.
Death Certificates are issued by the local Municipal or County Registrar or the State Registrar of the Department of Health and Senior Services. The Medical Examiner is not able to provide death certificates.
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