The coroner shall complete the cause and manner of death information on a death certificate based on his examination, investigation, or autopsy. Once the coroner has filled out all information that is required per Louisiana Revised Statute, the coroner will submit the death certificate back to the funeral home for certifying. Death certificates are generated by the funeral homes and also issued to family by the funeral homes. The Coroner’s Office is not the custodian of the death certificate and, therefore, is not the entity who provides the death certificate to the family. In cases of autopsy, the death certificate is not completed until after receiving the full autopsy report and toxicology report.
*If a death was not investigated by the coroner’s office, the decedent’s physician will likely sign the death certificate. The death certificate will still be provided to the family by the funeral home.
*If a death was not investigated by the coroner’s office, the decedent’s physician will likely sign the death certificate. The death certificate will still be provided to the family by the funeral home.
Pursuant to LA RS 13:5713 B. (1) The coroner may perform or cause to be performed by a competent physician an autopsy in any case at his discretion. The coroner shall perform or cause to be performed by a competent physician an autopsy in the case of any death where there is a reasonable probability that the violation of a criminal statute has contributed to the death. An autopsy shall be performed in all cases of infants under the age of one year who die unexpectedly without explanation. The autopsy shall include microscopic and toxicology studies.
You will need to fill out the autopsy and toxicology report request and send the request with a color copy of your photo ID.
You will receive your copy once the finalized autopsy report is available for release.
The Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office serves the community by investigating unexpected, violent, sudden, or traumatic deaths, mental health evaluations, and sexual assault examinations throughout Ouachita Parish. This includes but is not limited to Calhoun, Monroe, Richwood, Sterlington, and West Monroe.
