FAQ

The remains of deceased persons are brought to the Coroner's Office because Ohio Law requires that the coroner investigate deaths of persons dying from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly, when unattended by a physician for a reasonable period of time, in detention, or in any suspicious or unusual manner. Another reason that a body may be brought to the Coroner's Office is that the identity of the deceased or next of kin is unknown.

Not all persons brought to the Coroner's Office are autopsied. Certain cases are not autopsied where no "foul play" is suspected and evidence of a natural death is present. In other cases where there is the possibility of legal proceedings which may arise as a result of a homicide, accident, suicide, etc., an autopsy will be performed. In these cases both positive and negative information is found which substantiates the ruling and cause of death as signed by the Coroner.

Ohio Law (ORC 2108.52) provides that the Coroner does not need permission for an autopsy. The Office of the Coroner will attempt to comply with the wishes of the next of kin, if this does not conflict with the duties of the Coroner as charged by Ohio Law.

An autopsy is a systematic examination by a qualified physician of the body of a deceased person for the purpose of determining the cause of death and recovering, from the body, evidence of the cause of death. A record is made of the findings of the autopsy including microscopic and toxicologic laboratory tests. These laboratory tests are conducted after the release of the body to the next of kin for burial. There is no charge by the Coroner's Office to the next of kin for an autopsy.

Routinely, the Coroner releases the body to a licensed funeral director. The next of kin of the deceased person should notify the Coroner's Office of the name of the funeral home and notify the funeral director who, in turn, will arrange the transportation for the deceased to the funeral home and obtain the necessary documents for burial or cremation.

Most often, the next of kin discuss the selection of a funeral director with other family members, clergy, or friends. The Office of the Coroner is prohibited from recommending a funeral director. A listing of funeral directors is available in the telephone book as well as other sources.

Usually the clothing of the deceased is released to the funeral director for disposal or use as the family requests. In cases of homicide, various suicides, or vehicular death, the clothing may be held by the Coroner for use as evidence.

By Ohio Law (ORC 313.14) the Office of the Coroner will take possession of monies and other personal effects of the deceased. These items are inventoried and released to the next of kin.

A death certificate is completed a few days after death occurs. If possible, the initial death certificate is completed with the cause of death and manner of death. Occasionally a pending death certificate is issued if there is insufficient information at the time of autopsy to make a proper judgment. When toxicology results, microscopic slide examination and further investigative information are available, a supplementary death certificate will be issued with a cause of death and ruling. The next of kin of the deceased is notified when the supplemental certificate is sent to the appropriate Board of Health. This process usually takes approximately 30 days but may extend longer.