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1. How can I obtain copies of reports?

Autopsy and toxicology reports are available upon submission of a Records Request Form.

Once we receive your request, it is sent to the county Solicitor's Department who will forward a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) form to you for your signature and return to the Solicitor's Office. Upon receipt of the completed HIPPA form and approval, the requested documents will be mailed to your location. Should the release of these reports jeopardize the integrity of an on-going criminal investigation, the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office may withhold the reports until completion of that investigation.

2. How can I obtain a copy of the death certificate?

Our office completes only the certification portion of a death certificate, which is then completed by the funeral director who files it. Original copies for insurance and estate purposes are usually provided by the funeral director, but can also be obtained from the Vital Statistics Officer in the municipal jurisdiction of the death location, or by contacting the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services by calling 609-292-4087 or writing to: Vital Statistics P.O. Box 370 Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

3. How do we claim or recover the decedent’s body?

You should contact a funeral home of your choice. The funeral home representatives are knowledgeable on the established protocols for the release of the decedent and final arrangements.

4. Do all medical examiner cases get autopsied?

Not all cases on which the Medical Examiner takes jurisdiction result in an autopsy of the decedent’s body. Many of them are found through inquiry to have sufficient medical history to account for the death and many such cases are brought to the Medical Examiner Office for safe storage while next of kin are located.

5. What is an autopsy?

An autopsy involves examination of the exterior of the body and opening of the body and examination of organs and tissues to determine the cause and manner of death, and occasionally assist with the positive identification of the decedent. The cause of death is the medical condition that actually caused life to cease, while the manner of death is a classification (natural, accidental, homicide, suicide, or could not be determined) of the means by which death was caused to occur. This examination will not interfere with or prevent the body from being released to the family for funeral arrangements or viewing.

6. What if the family does not want an autopsy?

The Medical Examiner autopsy, unlike a hospital autopsy, does not require permission from the next of kin. It is done under statutory authority. If the family has a religious objection to the autopsy, the Medical Examiner will make every effort to limit the procedure as far as possible. If the Medical Examiner does determine that a full autopsy is necessary to fulfill legal responsibilities, the family may present their objection to a court of law for consideration before the autopsy is performed.

7. What does a person do on finding a family member deceased?

The police and emergency medical personnel should be called by dialing 911 and they will respond. If there is sufficient medical history, and nothing to suggest any other cause of death, the doctor who was treating the deceased will be contacted. The treating doctor may issue an appropriate death certificate and the family can have the body moved to the funeral home of their choice. If a Medical Examiner investigation is warranted, then the body will be taken by the Medical Examiner investigator. Upon conclusion of the investigation by the Medical Examiner, the body may be released to the funeral home of the family’s choice.

8. Can we visit and view the decedent at your facility?

Our facility does not permit visitation, but you may make arrangements to visit the decedent at the funeral home through your funeral home representative.

9. If I have questions about the autopsy or toxicology reports, can I get an explanation of the medical information?

Your family physician can explain the medical terminology listed on the reports, but you can also schedule an appointment to review the case with the Medical Examiner either by calling 609-702-7030 or stopping by our office located at:
Westampton Complex
4 Academy Drive
Westampton, NJ 08060

10. Must I do anything differently if a baby dies unexpectedly?

No. You will be provided with additional services following this tragic event. The major cause of death in babies up to 1 year of age is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or Sudden Unexplained Infant Death. There is no known cause of SIDS. A diagnosis of SIDS is made when the sudden death of an infant remains unexplained even after a thorough medicolegal investigation. State laws require the SIDS Center of New Jersey to be notified. The center provides counseling and bereavement services to the family. SIDS Center of NJ hotline number is 800-545-7437.

11. Does the family pay for any of the Medical Examiner services?

No. Families pay nothing for any of the Medical Examiner services. The family only pays the funeral home the cost of its services, to include transportation of the body from the Burlington County Examiner's Office (BCMEO) to the funeral home.

12. Who can we call for additional information, counseling, or assistance?

The following organizations may provide information, counseling, and other services to families and friends who have suffered the loss of a loved one:

• AIDS Hotline: 800-624-2377
• American Cancer Society: 800-227-2345
• American Heart Association: 800-634-1242
• Eye Bank of New Jersey: 800-653-9379
• Gift of Life – Organ Procurement: 215-557-8090
• New Jersey Funeral Directors Association: 732-974-9444
• New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network: 800-742-7365
• New Jersey Self-Help Clearinghouse: 800-367-6274
• SIDS Center of New Jersey: 800-545-7437