FAQs

What Is a Pending Death Certificate?: If at the autopsy a cause of death is not determined, the death certificate is pending further studies. This mean outside testing is completed. This includes, but not limited to toxicology and slides. Once a cause of death is determined, the death certificate will be updated, and a new death certificate with the cause of death will be issued. Please note you can still make arrangements with a funeral home with a pending death certificate.

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Coroner

1. What happens if a autopsy needs to be performed on my love one?: The coroner will prepare the remains for transport and contact the nearest funeral home, ( At that point the funeral home works for the coroner’s office) to transport the remains to the Glens Falls Hospital Morgue. Once the autopsy is completed, the coroner will contact the next of kin with the results and ask which funeral home they would like the remains released. The coroner will call the funeral home and make arraignments to have the remains removed from the hospital.

Not always. The coroner will not issue a autopsy if all the factors below apply.

The death is a natural cause
The attending physician know the medical history and has been treating the patient regularly.

3. Is there a cost to a autopsy?: If the coroner deems a autopsy is necessary to determine the cause of death, there is not charge to the family.

4. How do I retain a copy of the autopsy report?: The autopsy report is the property of Washington County. Only the next of kin can obtain a copy of the report. You must contact the coroner of record and complete the necessary paper work in order to obtain a copy.

5. How do I obtain a Death Certificate?: The funeral home will assist you with death certificates and the number that you will need. All death certificates are now done online. If it is a coroner call, the coroner will start the death certificate.

6. What Is a Pending Death Certificate?: If at the autopsy a cause of death is not determined, the death certificate is pending further studies. This mean outside testing is completed. This includes, but not limited to toxicology and slides. Once a cause of death is determined, the death certificate will be updated, and a new death certificate with the cause of death will be issued. Please note you can still make arrangements with a funeral home with a pending death certificate.