Q: What is the Coroner’s Office and why is it involved in this death? A: The Coroner’s Office is directed by the Coroner, an elected official. The job of the Coroner, by law, is to investigate the circumstances of certain types of deaths in order to determine the cause and manner of death.   Cases which require a coroner’s investigation are  in part: • Sudden, unexpected death when in apparent good health • Death of a person who is not under the recent care of a physician (36 hours) or in a hospital less than 24 hours • Any violent death (homicide, suicide, accident) • Any death suspicious for violence • Any unusual or unexpected death   Q: Where will my loved one be taken? A: The body will be taken to the Coroner’s Annex building which is located on West Court Street on the West Side of the Courthouse in Jonesboro.  In the case of a death that has been determined to be of natural causes, your loved one may, at the discretion of the Coroner, be released directly to the Funeral Home of your choosing.   Q: Is it necessary for me to go to the Coroner’s Annex to identify the body? A: No. In most cases visual identification is not required. If it is, you will be notified by the Coroner’s Office. Q: Is viewing or visitation allowed at the Coroner’s Annex? A: No. The Coroner’s Annex is not equipped or designed to handle bereaved relatives. Any  viewing  arrangements should be made with the funeral home of your choosing.   Q: When will my loved one be released from the Coroner’s Office? A: The body will be released to the funeral home of your chooosing following completion of the investigation. There are times that a body may be held longer in cases where additional investigation is required.   Q: Are autopsies always performed in a coroner’s case? A: No. A coroner’s investigator gathers the information concerning the circumstances of death, the medical history, and the social history. If there is sufficient history and the circumstances are consistent with a death due to known medical problems, an autopsy is not usually performed. If however, there is any evidence of foul play or if the circumstances of the death are unusual, an autopsy is usually performed. If the Coroner determines an autopsy is not necessary but the family wishes to have an autopsy performed, the family must then contact a private pathologist for this service. There is a fee for private autopsies which varies depending upon the pathologist.  Payment for a private autopsy which must be paid directly to the pathologist rests completely with the family.  *NOTE*: The decision to perform an autopsy rests entirely with the Coroner.   Q: Will an autopsy prevent an open casket funeral? A: No.   Q: How do I obtain a copy of the death certificate? A: You may request a copy from the funeral home where arrangements are made.   Q: How long does it take for the death certificate to be completed? A: The death certificate is usually completed within 4-8 weeks in cases with autopsy.  Other investigations will depend upon how quickly medical records, pharmacy records and possible toxicology reports can be obtained to help in the investigation.   Q: When will the autopsy report be ready and how do I obtain a copy? A: The autopsy report is usually ready about 8-10 weeks after the autopsy is performed. Copies of the autopsy report may be obtained from the Coroner's Office. Appropriate forms and fees will apply.  An autopsy report on cases under police investigation will not be released to anyone other than law enforcement agencies.

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