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FAQs:
How are the cause and manner of death determined?
The cause of death is the specific disease or injury that leads to the death.
The manner of death is the determination of how the disease or injury leads to the death. Medicolegal classification of the manner of death is mainly for statistical purposes. The manner of death stated on the death certificate is to clarify circumstances of death and how an injury was sustained. The manner of death has no direct bearing on criminal prosecution or insurance settlements.
What do I do if a person dies unexpectedly and was not under hospice care?
Call 911 to report an unexpected death. Local law enforcement will respond to the scene. The exceptions to this response are when the death occurs in a hospital or nursing home, or when hospice is providing care to the patient. The local law enforcement officer will make the proper notifications after assessing the scene.
If the deceased person has been under the care of his/her personal physician, the physician will be contacted to inquire about medical conditions which may have caused or contributed to the death. Depending on the circumstances of the death, the personal physician often signs the death certificate. However, if the personal physician declines to certify the death because he/she cannot state that the medical history supports the death, then the Coroner will take further steps to establish the cause and manner of death. There are times when an autopsy is required to make that determination.
When will the Coroner be called?
While there are guidelines governing coroner involvement in a death investigation, each case is handled individually. Generally, deaths that occur in a hospital, nursing home, or under hospice care, are not reported unless there are circumstances that raise questions about the cause and manner of death. Law enforcement or medical personnel will contact the Skagit County Coroner’s Office on all other deaths. The Coroner’s Office may be involved to varying degrees depending on the circumstances of the case.
What happens during a death investigation?
In a death investigation, the involvement of Skagit County Coroner’s Office might be extensive or minimal depending on the circumstances of the case. During an extensive death investigation, the Coroner will respond to the death scene, interview witnesses and family, thoroughly document the scene and the decedent, and transport the decedent to the county morgue. Following the initial scene investigation, the Coroner will locate and notify family of the county’s involvement, request medical and pertinent records, request and conduct an autopsy, submit toxicology samples, complete a comprehensive death investigation report, and follow up with family and law enforcement. In addition, the case might require further analysis, such as forensic pathology analysis, forensic specialists such as anthropologists or odontologists, and radiology analysis for trauma or identification purposes.
How long does a death investigation take?
A thorough death investigation can take several months (3-6 months), depending on the nature of the death and what process is required during the investigation. This can be frustrating for the family and friends of the decedent as they wait for closure and answers regarding their loved one. While we work expeditiously to complete each case, specialized testing and analysis takes additional time. Specialized testing can consist of the following:
Washington state law gives the Coroner authority to decide if an autopsy is necessary to determine the most likely cause of death. Not every death will require an autopsy, however, each case requiring coroner involvement will undergo a comprehensive investigation. It is important to realize that autopsies do not always provide a definitive cause of death.
All autopsies completed at Skagit County Coroner's Office are done by board certified forensic pathologists. If you have concerns about an autopsy being completed or religious reasons to forego an autopsy, please call our office at 360-416-1996.
Following the autopsy the decedent will be released to the selected funeral home or mortuary. An autopsy will not compromise the family's ability to coordinate a viewing at the funeral home. There is no fee required of the family if an autopsy is performed.
If the Coroner’s Office declines to have an autopsy performed, then the family can have a private autopsy done at their expense (approximate cost can be $5,000 or more). Arrangements for a private autopsy must be made with the funeral home. Skagit County Coroner's Office cannot assist the family with arranging a private autopsy.
Per RCW 68.50.160, next of kin is recognized in the state of Washington in the following order: (a) spouse or designated personal representative, (b) adult children, (c) parents, (d) siblings.
Death investigation reports are kept indefinitely. Immediate family can have access to the report but may be required to show proof of relationship. If you would like a copy of a death investigation report, please fill out and submit a Release of Reports form.
Who is authorized to view the Coroner’s reports?
Immediate family, law enforcement having jurisdiction, the prosecutor’s office having jurisdiction, attending medical personnel, and in certain cases (such as death from contagious disease or work-related death) public health officials and labor and industry representatives. Insurance companies and attorneys do not have direct access to our reports and must be authorized by the family of the decedent to submit a request.
Per RCW 68.50.105, autopsy reports are confidential in the state of Washington. Final reports may take up to 9 months to be completed. It is important to know that autopsies do not always provide a definitive cause of death. Legal next-of-kin may obtain a copy of this report by submitting a written request to the Skagit County Coroner’s Office.
Where do I get a certified death certificate for a loved one who has died?
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office DOES NOT provide certified death certificates to families. We are one step in the process of completing the final death certificate. Completed death certificates are filed with Skagit County Vital Statistics.
Does the County have funds to assist with funeral arrangements?
Skagit County does not have funds to assist families with funeral arrangements. If money is a factor, please speak frankly with your funeral director so that they might be able to suggest alternatives or provide payment options.
If no family has been found or no one is able to make funeral arrangements, Skagit County has very limited funds to proceed with cremation at county expense. The cremains (ashes) will be retained until the next scheduled indigent remains ceremony. Family or friends can collect indigent cremains at any time following reimbursement for the cremation.
Can family view the body at the coroner's office?
The coroner's office does not have the staff nor the facilities to prepare a body for viewing by the family. Viewing of the body can be coordinated with the funeral home.
Is it necessary to come to the coroner's office to identify the body?
No. In most cases positive identification is established at the scene or scientifically by fingerprints, dental x-rays, or medical x-rays.
During this difficult time, families may find the following resources helpful. The Coroner’s Office provides this information for awareness and convenience; use of these services is entirely voluntary.
Grief can affect everyone differently. Bereavement support services offer emotional support, counseling, and guidance for individuals and families coping with loss. These services can help survivors navigate grief and find support during the healing process.
In some situations, professional biohazard cleanup may be necessary to safely and properly restore a residence or property. Licensed biohazard cleanup services are trained to handle these circumstances with care, discretion, and adherence to health and safety regulations.
