- What do I do if a loved one passes away at home?
Call 9-1-1. The Dispatcher will send the appropriate responder to your residence to assist you. If you are not sure they are deceased, they will send a paramedic to your home. While you are waiting, please gather your loved ones medications and a telephone number to their doctor. It is important that if your loved one has a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) that you have that for responders as well.
- If my family member is in hospice what do I do?
Contact the hospice nurse and they will give you guidance on next steps. Normally, your loved one will immediately go into the care of a funeral home of your choice.
- How do I proceed if cremation is the wish of my loved one?
There is Indiana law that governs the cremation process. If cremation is desired, the next of kin will fill out paperwork at the funeral home. In some cases, the funeral home will seek authorization from our office for permission to cremate.
- What if I am destitute and have no funds for funeral expenses?
Under certain circumstances destitute families may seek assistance from the township trustee in the township where your loved one lived. This is usually a cremation.
- How do I obtain death certificates?
The funeral director at the funeral home you select will assist you with this. The Indiana Death Registration System is electronic and as the investigation progresses, the electronic form general by the funeral home is forwarded to the appropriate authority for sign off. It is recommended that you obtain enough copies to furnish banks for any accounts, the BMV to transfer automobile titles, social security, Deeds to homes, and the insurance company.
- How long will it take to obtain the death certificate?
Normally in a death where the Doctor is signing the death certificate, it should be available within 3-5 business days at the County Health Department or through the Funeral Home. In other cases, our office is reviewing medical records, personal history, autopsy and toxicology reports, interviewing witnesses and other investigative processes. Death certificates cannot be signed until the investigation is complete. This could take up to 90 Days in most cases. One the investigation is complete; the death certificate should be available within 72 hours and/or 3 business days.
- What if I need a death certificate to proceed with the bank or other business?
In cases where the death certificate could be pending for an extended period, our office will issue an official letter that outlines your loved ones name, date of death, and that it is under investigation. Most banks and other entities will accept this official letter to keep families moving forward until the death certificate can be certified. This letter can be obtain by contacting our office.
- What if my loved one dies in the hospital?
Hospital’s notify the Coroner’s Office of such a death. Once notified, if the death is of natural circumstance, the Coroner will release your loved one to the funeral home of your choice. This decision as to what funeral home, should be made early on. The physician pronouncing death may consult with the family Doctor to determine health history.
- What about organ donation?
If it is the desire of the decedent or the family to donate organs, the hospital or the Coroner can contact the Indiana Donor Network to initiate the process. However, if death occurs in an out of hospital setting or is the result of an act of violence, accident, or suspicious death, an autopsy may have to be conducted and can seriously impact the ability for such donations.
- Why are autopsies performed?
If the death is the result of violence, accident, suspicious or if no determination of death can be reasonably made, the Coroner may have an autopsy performed to determine cause of death. This is at the sole discretion of the Coroner. Autopsies are examinations, both external and internal of a deceased person’s body by a forensic pathologist. The results may be helpful in preventive measures for other living family members to determine inherited or genetic disease.
- Who pays for an autopsy?
The Coroner will review the facts of the death and may order an autopsy. This expense is paid for by the County. If, however the family is requesting an autopsy, state statute states that the party requesting the autopsy is responsible for payment. Costs range from about $2,500 to $5,000 for a private autopsy.
- Can I get a copy of your records?
Our office believes in transparency and will provide what records we can legally provide upon request. Our Coroner’s report is subject to public record and can be obtained by a written request and emailed to coroner@co.wayne.in.us.
