FAQs • Hamilton County, IN • CivicEngage

Why are autopsies performed?: If no determination of death can be reasonably made, the Coroner may have an autopsy performed to determine cause of death. Autopsies are examinations, both external and internal of a deceased person’s body. The results may be helpful in preventive measures for other living family members to determine inherited or genetic disease.

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Coroner

1. What do I do if a loved one passes away at home?: Call 911. A police officer and the coroner will be dispatched to your residence to investigate the death and assist you. If you are not sure if they are deceased Paramedics will also be dispatched.
While you are waiting it is extremely helpful if you can gather the decedent’s medications and determine their last visit to the doctor. Locate any DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) forms for EMS and the Coroner. Locate your loved one’s Doctor’s phone number.

2. If my family member is in hospice what do I do?: Contact the hospice nurse and they will guide you through what you need to do. Normally the remains may be released from the home directly to a funeral home.

3. How do I proceed if cremation is the wish of the decedent or family?: State statute requires a 48 hour hold prior to cremation. If cremation is desired the next of kin fills out a request at the funeral home for cremation and forwards it to the Coroner’s Office. Once the signed documents are received a letter of authorization is prepared by the Coroner and sent back to the funeral home authorizing the cremation.

4. 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 death occurred. This is usually a cremation and is referred to as a pauper’s funeral.

5. If my loved one was a veteran does the VA pay for the funeral?: If the veteran was discharged under other than dishonorable circumstances both Hamilton County and the Federal Government
Contribute a portion of the funeral expenses. For detailed information regarding covered expenses, memorial markers, plaques and burial flags, call the Hamilton County Veterans Services Office at 317-776-9610. The Veterans Services Officer will assist you in obtaining the proper forms and filing the proper applications. The Veterans Affairs Office is located in the County Judicial Center at 1 Hamilton Square, suite 179 in Noblesville, Indiana.

6. 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 generated 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.

7. 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. In the case of an autopsy, it takes 14 business days at a minimum from the date of the autopsy to receive toxicology reports. Toxicology reports are necessary to complete the autopsy report, which, is normally forwarded to the Coroner within a few business days of receiving the toxicology report. This closes the death investigation and a death certificate should be available within 72 hours and/or 3 business days. Your chosen funeral director will assist you.

8. What if my loved one dies in the hospital?: Hospitals 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.

9. 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 an organ donation organization to initiate the process. However, if death occurs in an out of hospital setting or is the result of an act of violence or suspicious death an autopsy may have to be conducted and can seriously impact the ability for such donations.

10. How do we make donations of my loved ones remains to science?: Various organizations accept remains for donation. Certain criteria such as height and weight, skin condition, disease processes and general condition of the corpse may dictate eligibility for such donations. Additionally, autopsy, if necessary, may play a role in eligibility for donation.

11. Why are autopsies performed?: If no determination of death can be reasonably made, the Coroner may have an autopsy performed to determine cause of death. Autopsies are examinations, both external and internal of a deceased person’s body. The results may be helpful in preventive measures for other living family members to determine inherited or genetic disease.

12. Who pays for the autopsy?: If the death is an out of hospital death and /or under suspicious circumstances, the Coroner will review the facts 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 $2500 to $5000 for a private autopsy.