lacounty.gov

Families

What should I do now?

Select a funeral home and inform the Funeral Director that the death is being handled by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. Ask them to notify us as soon as possible that they will be handling the arrangements. Our office does not select funeral homes, nor do we make arrangements. In the event someone is making the arrangements for the family, the Department of Medical Examiner must be provided with a notarized written authorization to release the deceased, signed and dated by the legal next of kin with the following information:

Decedent name
Medical Examiner case number
Your name and phone number
Your relationship to the decedent
Name of selected Funeral Director
Department of Medical Examiner
1104 N. Mission Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
FAX: 323.224.8979 or 323.222.7041

Should the designated individual reside at a distant location, they may send a fax directly to the funeral home.

If a body is to be shipped to a mortuary outside Los Angeles County, the local mortuary, as well as the distant mortuary must be specifically identified in the fax.

While all personal protective equipment should be used when handling remains and possible body fluids, accidents do occur. In the event emergency personnel, good samaritans, or family members are concerned with exposure, bloodborne pathogen testing can be requested. Click here for more information.

Bloodborne Pathogen Testing

The Medical Examiner Forensic Science Laboratory conducts a comprehensive scientific investigation into the cause and manner of any sudden, suspicious or violent death occurring in Los Angeles County. Sometimes additional requests are made to laboratory for further testing, specimen holds, sample splits or to acquire biological samples for paternity testing. Click here for more information.

Additional Laboratory Requests

Grief/Bereavement Resources

Where will my relative/friend be taken?

They will be taken to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner's main facility located at:

1104 N. Mission Road
Los Angeles, California 90033
(323) 343-0714

Is it necessary for me to come to the Medical Examiner's office to identify the body?

No. In the majority of cases, visual identification is not required. Should it become necessary for you to visit our office or to bring records or x-rays, a Department of Medical Examiner representative will contact you.

Is viewing allowed?

No. The Department of Medical Examiner's facility is not designed to accommodate viewing. Arrangements for viewing may be made at the selected funeral home.

How long will it take before my relative/friend is released from your office?

Generally, it should not take more than two to three days. The Funeral Director of your choice will coordinate the release on your behalf.

Will I be charged for other Department of Medical Examiner services?

Per California Government Code Section 27472, 54985 & Los Angeles County Code 2.22.100, the County is required to assess certain fees for transportation and handling. You will be billed by the Department of Medical Examiner for these services.

Transportation and Handling Payments

Why do I need a death certificate?

The death certificate is the official legal record of death. It includes information about the deceased and about their cause of death. Insurance companies, the United States Social Security Administration, and other agencies may request certified copies of the death certificate as proof of death.

Where can I obtain a death certificate?

Our Department does not maintain and/or distribute death certificates. The Department of Public Health is charged with this task for deaths that occurred up to 1 year from the date of death. Once a year has passed, they pass this duty on the to the Registrar Recorder. You may request the death certificates from the Funeral Home or from Public Health/Registrar Recorder directly. Please visit the following page for more information:

Public Health

Obtain a Death Certificate

Registrar Recorder

There are no funds for burial. What can I do?

If the deceased or the legal next of kin do not have sufficient funds for burial, the alternative may be County disposition. In these circumstances, proof of indigence is required. The legal next of kin should contact the Department of Medical Examiner Identification and Notification unit at (323) 343-0755, and additional information will be provided. If County disposition is authorized, there may be substantial delays in receiving a death certificate and as a consequence, certain benefits.

County Disposition Form

My relative/friend was in the military. Who can I contact for burial information?

Persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces, were honorably discharged, and meet other service requirements may be entitled to a Veteran's burial. For information contact the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at (213) 765-9681. For more information on Veterans or Social Security benefits, contact your funeral director.

How and when can personal possessions be claimed?

Any of a decedent’s personal possessions in the custody of the Department of Medical Examiner may be claimed by the legal next of kin. Governmental documents (driver’s licenses, passports, military identification cards belonging to the decedent) will not be released to the next of kin. These documents will be returned to the issuing agency for disposition. To avoid any inconvenience to you, please call the Department of Medical Examiner's Personal Property Section at (323) 343-0515, before coming into the office.

The Personal Property Custodian will advise you if any documents will be needed and of any other requirements. The Personal Property Section is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and is closed weekends and holidays. Property release hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Sometimes personal possessions are taken into custody by other law enforcement agencies. You will need to contact those agencies to recover personal possessions in their custody. Clothing is not usually considered property. Unless there is a need to hold clothing as evidence, it is released to the mortuary recovering the deceased. Clothing that presents a health and safety hazard may be disposed of for the safety of all persons involved.

Durable Power of Attorney

Declaration Pursuant to Section 27491.3 Government Code

I need to enter my relative/friend's residence, but it is sealed. What can I do?

In order to enter you need to obtain permission from the agency listed on the door seal. If the seal indicates Public Administrator (yellow seal) involvement, call (213) 974-0460. If the seal is a Department of Medical Examiner seal (blue seal), call (323) 343-0755.

Why is the Department of Medical Examiner involved?

State law requires the Department of Medical Examiner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of all sudden, violent, or unusual deaths, and those deaths where the decedent has not been seen by a physician 20 days prior to death. In such cases, the deceased will be taken to the Department of Medical Examiner's facility and for examination by a physician to determine the cause of death. A death certificate is issued after the examination is completed. Occasionally, more extensive testing is required, in which case an interim or “Deferred” death certificate is issued which will allow the family to make funeral arrangements. An amendment will later be issued to accompany the death certificate following completion of special testing.

What about tissue/organ donation?

In conjunction with OneLegacy, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner supports the donation of organs and tissues. With consent, many types of organs and tissues may be donated to help others. If you are interested in donation, please call the Organ & Tissue Donor Referral Hotline at (800) 338-6112 as soon as possible. A representative will be available to answer your questions 24 hours a day.

Are tissues, organs, blood and/or body fluids retained after the autopsy and the release of the body?

Yes, if the Medical Examiner believes it will assist the inquiry into cause and manner of death, the decedent’s tissue(s)/organ(s)/body fluid(s) may be retained for analysis and/or evidentiary purposes pursuant to California Government Code Section 27491.4. Tissues/organs/body fluids retained at autopsy or as part of any Department of Medical Examiner investigative procedure will be disposed of pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 7054.4.

Will an autopsy report be available to me?

Yes. Please call the Department of Medical Examiner Records Section at (323) 343-0695 for more information.

What is a Proof of Death letter?

A Proof of Death Letter is a certified letter documenting a decedent’s death. Information included is the name of the decedent, date & place of death. This letter does not substitute a Death Certificate.

Glossary of Terms

Autopsy

also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy (particularly as to non-human bodies), autopsia cadaverum, or obduction — is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist.

Biological specimens

blood, sections of organs, vitreous, bile, and urine.

Cause of death

an injury or disease that ultimately leads to death of the individual, generally determined by medical examiners or coroners.

Certificate of Religious Belief

in California, in order to execute a certificate of religious belief, a person must be 18 years of age or older and must state in clear and unambiguous language that any postmortem anatomical dissection or that specified procedures would violate the religious convictions of the person. The certificate must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of at least two witnesses. Each witness must also sign the certificate and must print on the certificate his or her name and residence address. California law allows the state to override religious objection if the coroner "has a reasonable suspicion that the death was caused by the criminal act of another or by a contagious disease constituting a public health hazard."

Chain of custody

a method of keeping track of who has handled a piece of evidence and when.

County Disposition

The County of Los Angeles will cremate the remains of a decedent and hold the cremains (ashes) for a period of time (about 3 years) before the ashes are interred in a common gravesite at the LA County Cemetery.

Decomposition

the disintegration of body tissues after death.

DME

Department of Medical Examiner

Evidence

any physical items such as bullets, hairs, fibers, biological fluids, etc., documents and statements that are included in a legal investigation for the jury’s or judge’s consideration in the determination of an individual’s guilt or innocence.

Forensic pathologist

A medical doctor who specializes in the sub-specialty of pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. The autopsy is performed by the pathologist usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions.

Forensic Science

Forensic Science is the application of all forms of science to aid legal investigations.

Indigency

The lack of ability to pay as a legal reason for having certain required fees waived; being declared eligible for free services.

Manner of death

is how the death came about. Natural - due entirely (or nearly so) to natural disease processes. Homicide - due to a volitional act of another person. Suicide - due to injury that occurred with the intent to induce self-harm or cause one’s own death. Accident - due to injury when there is no evidence of intent to harm. Undetermined - inadequate information regarding the circumstances of death to determine manner; example: individual found unconscious with massive subdural hemorrhage; in the absence of information on the events leading up to death, it is impossible to determine if the hemorrhage is due to accidental fall, homicidal violence, etc.

Medical examiner

is a medically qualified forensic pathologist and government official whose duty is to investigate deaths and injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortem examinations, and in some jurisdictions to initiate inquests.

Medicolegal Autopsy

a medicolegal autopsy is done with the possibility of litigation in mind. The autopsy is designed to determine the cause of death, properly document findings, and collect evidence. A primary objective is to try to reconstruct the circumstances and events that led to the death so that a mode (natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined) can be established. A medicolegal autopsy differs from a hospital autopsy. A hospital autopsy is designed to confirm a known or suspected disease and gain further knowledge of the disease. The emphasis is placed on the gross and microscopic examination of internal organs. In a medicolegal autopsy the emphasis is shifted to the external examination and the description of external and associated internal injuries. Microscopic examination is done only when indicated. Information about identification of the remains, time of death, evidence of drug use, age of injuries, etc., becomes important and must be recorded carefully. It is imperative that findings be recorded clearly and objectively. Any forensic pathologist should be able to interpret the findings years later without difficulty. The forensic autopsy protocol must be standardized and reproducible.

Next of Kin

aNearest relative: if married, the spouse, if no spouse then adult children, or surviving parents, or blood relative, according to California State Law, unless otherwise specified in a legal document.

Toxicology

or postmortem (after death) toxicology analyzes biological specimens collected at autopsy for the presence of drugs, toxins, and poisons to help determine cause and manner of death.