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Q. Why is the Coroner involved in the death of my loved one? Q. What happens when a death is reported to the Coroner's Office? Q. How do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? Q. How do I report a death? Q. What types of deaths are investigated by the Coroner's Office? Q. What happens when a death is reported to the Coroner's Office? Q. How do I report a death? Q. How are deaths reported to the Coroner's Office? Q. What happens at the death scene? Q. How long does it take for a cause/manner of death ruling to be made? Q. How long before the Coroner signs a completed death certificate? Q. Types of deaths investigated by the Coroner's Office. Q. What happens at the death scene? Q. How are deaths reported to the Coroner’s Office? Q. How long does it take for a cause/manner of death ruling to be made? Q. How long before the Coroner signs a completed death certificate? Q. Why is the Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office involved in the death of my loved one? Q. Can I find out of the cause of death? Q. Where can I get a copy of the Death Certificate? Q. How do I get a Death Certificate? Q. How to obtain a copy of a death certificate? Q. How do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? Q. How do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? Q. When and how can I obtain the death certificate? Q. With whom may I speak about the death? Q. Where do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? Q. How do I request a death certificate? Q. How can I request a correction to a death certificate? Q. How do I request a death certificate? Q. How do I obtain a certified copy of the death certificate? Q. How can I request a correction to a death certificate? Q. How long does it take for a death certificate to be issued? Q. Where can copies of a death certificate be obtained? Q. How do I obtain a certified copy of the death certificate? Q. How do I obtain a certified copy of the death certificate? Q. Why must the body of the deceased person be identified? Q. What is the Identification Procedure? Q. How long is the wait to make an identification? Q. How will the body be released? Q. When and how can I obtain the death certificate? Q. With whom may I speak about the death? Q. Where do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? Q. How do I request a death certificate? Q. How can I request a correction to a death certificate? Q. How do I request a death certificate? Q. How can I request a correction to a death certificate? Q. How long does it take for a death certificate to be issued? Q. Where can copies of a death certificate be obtained? Q. Why is the Coroner involved in the death of my loved one? A: The following is a list of death in which the Coroner's office is contacted*: 1. Sudden death of a healthy child. 2. Death occurring within 24 hours of admission at a hospital or health care facility 3. Physician unable to state cause of death, after careful review of medical chart, or decedent does not have a physician 4. Known or suspected homicide 5. Known or suspected suicide 6. Related to or following known suspected self-induced or criminal abortion 7. Following an accident or injury primary or contributory, either old or recent 8. Drowning, fire, exposure, acute alcoholism, drug addiction, strangulation, aspiration or malnutrition 9. Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents) 10. Occupational disease or occupational hazards 11. (Premature deaths). 12. All deaths where patient is under anesthetic 13. Incarceration 14. All deaths of unidentified persons * The Coroner will determine if the death will be investigated or if the death certificate can be routinely signed by the attending physician. 1. What happens when a death is reported to the Coroner's Office? 2. How do I report a death? 3. What does the Coroner's Office Do? 4. Why is the Coroner’s Office Involved? 5. What types of deaths are investigated by the Coroner's Office? 6. Where is my loved one being taken? 7. What do I do now? 8. Can I come see my loved one at the hospital? 9. Are autopsies always performed when the Coroner investigates a death? 10. Why are autopsies performed? 11. Is there a charge for autopsies? 12. How do I contact the Coroner’s Office? 13. When will the body be released? 1. What happens when a death is reported to the Coroner's Office? * Natural deaths may be certified by the decedent's family physician when the likely cause of death is known based upon the medical history. * When the family phisician cannot reach a decision regarding the cause of death within a reasonable degree of medical certainty and thererfore cannot certify the death, the Coroner's Office assumes jurisdiction and begins further investigation. * More Information... 2. How do I report a death? * When a person dies suddenly or unexpectedly, your first duty is to Call 9-1-1 for medical assistance and guidance. * More Information... 3. It is the Role of the Coroner's Office to: * Investigate the facts & circumstances concerning deaths that appear to have happened with the county. * Determine identity of the deceased. * Notify next of kin. * Determine cause and manner of death. * Determine whether or not an autopsy or an inquest should be conducted. * More Information... 5. Types of deaths investigated by the Coroner's Office. * Deaths resulting from violence or trauma * Sudden deaths where cause is not recognizable or cannot be certified by a physician based upon recent medical assistance * Deaths occurring under suspiciaous circumstances (drugs, alcohol, or other toxins) * Stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths * Deaths of unidentified or unclaimed persons * Deaths in police custody * Deaths related to reportable contagious diseases * Hospital inpatient deaths... o occurring from surgery that cannot be explained by prior disease o that result from accidental trauma o that involve a facture * Any questionable deaths * ALL cremations must be authorized by the Coroner's Office. * How are deaths reported to the Coroner's Office? * What happens at the death scene? * How long does it take for a cause/manner of death ruling to be made? * How long before the Coroner signs a completed death certificate? How are deaths reported to the Coroner’s Office? Anyone can report a death to the coroner’s office. Please call Rock County Dispatch at 608-757-2244 to request the on-call coroner be paged. A coroner is available by pager 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most often, a citizen will call 911 to report an unexpected death. The 911 center will then dispatch emergency services (EMS, Fire, Police) to the location. After it is decided that life saving efforts are not needed, police will secure the scene and request the coroner to be dispatched. Hospitals, nursing homes and hospices also request the coroner through the dispatch center. What happens at the death scene? Each scene is different, but the coroner generally performs the following activities: * Pronounce the legal date and time of death. * Determine the identity of the deceased, and find out the name and address of the next of kin. * Examine and document the scene and the body of the deceased. * Collect and/or record evidence. * Determine the estimated time of death. * Safeguard personal effects. * Notify the family/next of kin of the death if they are not already aware. * Conduct interviews with family, friends and witnesses to obtain information to help determine the circumstances of the death; including, medical history, recent activities, and drug and alcohol use. * Arrange autopsy if needed (determined by the coroner). * Maintain legal custody of the deceased until the remains are released to family/funeral home. * Provide coroner contact information to the family/next of kin. * Secure or release scene before leaving. How long does it take for a cause/manner of death ruling to be made? The cause/manner of death ruling may take only a few days or as long as six months depending upon the circumstances of the death. For the great majority of cases the cause/manner of death determination is made within one week of the death. If an autopsy and toxicology tests are required, the final ruling may take up to six months. When the results of these tests are reviewed and the investigation is concluded, a ruling is made based on all available information. The coroner’s office then shares that information with the family/next of kin. In rare cases, the cause and/or manner of death may be ruled undetermined. How long before the Coroner signs a completed death certificate? Usually, a signed death certificate is issued within 1 - 5 days of the death. However, there are times when a "pending" death certificate is issued. The "pending" death certificate legally records the death and allows the funeral services to take place while additional testing and investigation continue. An “amended” death certificate is issued with the final cause of death when the investigation is completed – sometimes weeks or months later. Why is the Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office involved in the death of my loved one? The Medical Examiner-Coroner is mandated by State Law (Government Code 27491) to investigate all violent, sudden or medically unattended deaths within the county. This means that the Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office completes a thorough professional medicolegal investigation into all deaths related to suicide, homicide, accident, infectious or communicable disease, or when the decedent had not been treated by a licensed physician within the 20 days preceding his or her death. The Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office is charged with determining both the manner of death, (homicide, suicide, accident, natural cause), and the actual medical reason or cause of death. The professional investigation completed by the Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office also includes establishing the identity of the decedent, and when possible, notifying the next of kin in a prompt and compassionate manner. Can I find out of the cause of death? Yes, in a majority of the deaths we investigate are able to determine the manner and cause of death. Although some cases require more investigation, (microscopic/Toxicology), in a majority of the deaths we investigate the cause and manner of death are reportable within 24 hours of our completing our initial investigation. Where can I get a copy of the Death Certificate? Although the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office establishes the cause and manner of death, we do not issue death certificates. If you are working with a mortuary or funeral home, they can provide you with certified copies of the Death Certificate. All other requests for copies of Death Certificates should be made to either the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health, Vital Statistics Section, located at 976 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126, (408) 885-2010, or the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office at 70 West Hedding Street in San Jose. How do I get a Death Certificate? You can obtain a death certificate from the funeral home, which handled the final arrangements; or from Louisiana Vital Records Registry. Their office locations are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at (225) 242-4863 or in New Orleans, Louisiana @ (504) 568-5172. How to obtain a copy of a death certificate? People who come to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner ("OCME") to make an identification often have questions about procedures. This has been prepared to answer some of the questions that may arise. The frequently asked questions and answers are also available in Chinese, Russian and Spanish (in pdf ). 2. Why must the body of the deceased person be identified? Identification is necessary in order to establish that the person reported to OCME as having died is, in fact, that person, and to complete the certificate of death. 3. What is the Identification Procedure? The person making the identification first will be asked to give certain information about him/herself as well as about the deceased person. Once the information has been recorded, the identifying person will view a photograph of the deceased person (taken at OCME) in order to complete the identification process. As a general rule, the photograph is of the face only; occasionally, it will be of a mark such as a tattoo or scar. 4. How long is the wait to make an identification? You will be seen by a member of the Identification staff as soon as reasonably possible. The Identification Unit operates seven days a week: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday, Sunday, & holidays 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (See Contact OCME for locations and telephone numbers.) 7. How will the body be released? By law, the medical examiner may release a body only to a New York State licensed funeral director. Once identification is completed, you should notify your funeral director who, in turn, will arrange to transport the body to the funeral home and obtain the documents necessary for burial or cremation. In accordance with the wishes of the next of kin, arrangements can be made with the funeral home for transportation of the body for disposition out of state or out of the country. 10. How do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? Copies of the death certificate can be obtained in person or by mail from: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Bureau of Vital Statistics 125 Worth Street New York, New York 10013 212.788.4520 Please visit the DOHMH Web site for detailed information When and how can I obtain the death certificate? The death certificate will be prepared within 10 days after the date of death. If the cause of death is not immediately available, then a "pending" death certificate is issued to be followed by an “amended” death certificate listing the final cause of death. The "pending" certificate will allow the family to begin processing of the estate. A copy of the death certificate is available by contacting your funeral home or the Office of Vital Records, an office of the Weld County Health Department. 16. With whom may I speak about the death? You may contact OME at 520-243-8600 and ask to speak to a medical investigator between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday, except major holidays. 20. Where do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? Copies of death certificates can be requested through your funeral director. Alternatively, you may call Pima County Vital Records at 520-243-7930. 21. If the cause and/or manner of death of my loved one is “pending”, how can I initiate getting my financial affairs in order (insurance, Social Security, etc…)? If further information is needed by an insurance company or others in order to settle estates or other business matters, the Medical Examiner’s Office will work directly with those entities to answer any concerns. Vital Records (520-243-7930) or your selected funeral home will be able to provide you with a copy of the pending death certificate if proof of death is all that is needed. If you continue to experience problems with your insurance company regarding a “pending” death certificate, please contact us and we will do our best to help move along the process. While the cause of death may be clearly evident at the time of autopsy or shortly thereafter from the follow-up studies, the manner of death may require additional consultation. The circumstances of the death are paramount in deciding whether the manner of death is homicide, accident, suicide, or natural. Inquiries into the law enforcement and medical communities and gathering of their reports important for manner of death determination takes additional time. 11. How do I request a death certificate? The Medical Examiner’s Office does not issue death certificates. Once our portion of the death certificate is completed, the original is sent to the funeral home for finalization and then forwarded to the Bureau of Vital Records to be filed with the State of Missouri. When a family makes funeral arrangements, the funeral home will ask how many copies of the death certificate the family needs. The funeral home will then provide that number of death certificates to the family. If the family or another entity requires more copies or needs a copy at a future date, then they should contact the Bureau of Vital Records, which is part of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records P.O. Box 570 930 Wildwood Dr. Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-6387 http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BirthAndDeathRecords/ 12. How can I request a correction to a death certificate? Corrections on a death certificate require an affidavit to be filed with the State of Missouri. The party responsible for the mistake is responsible for correcting the mistake. For more information on the process after the Bureau of Vital Statistics receives the affidavit, please call them at 573-751-6387 or visit http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BirthAndDeathRecords/ . Q. How long does it take for a death certificate to be issued? A. This procedure is handled differently by the various counties. Prior to the final ruling, a "Pending Investigation" death certificate is issued. This enables the funeral services and burial to take place while the testing and investigation continues. At the culmination of these tests and investigation, the ruling is made based on all available information. A supplemental death certificate is then issued with the cause and manner of death which supersedes the "Pending" death certificate. This typically takes 4-6 weeks. Q. Where can copies of a death certificate be obtained? A. Certified copies of death certificates may be obtained via your funeral director or from the health department in the jurisdiction of death. For more health department information, please visit the Recorder's Vital Statistics page. |