Frequently Asked Questions

What types of deaths require the Coroner's office involvement?

• Natural deaths at home without hospice
• Deaths with less than 24-hour admission into the hospital
• All suspicious, violent, unusual and unexpected deaths
• Any deaths believed to be of unnatural causes

What do I do when a loved one dies at home?

If you need to report a death, call 911 immediately and answer all questions the 911 dispatcher asked of you. 911 will then contact the appropriate responding agency such as EMS and the coroner on-call to respond to the reported death. If the deceased is on Hospice Care please immediately contact the Hospice company. They will then notify the Coroner.

It is necessary for me to come to the Coroner’s Office to identify the body?

No, in the majority of the cases, visual identification is not necessary to positively identify the deceased

Why is an autopsy performed?

The Coroner authorizes an autopsy when one is needed to establish the cause and manner of death. Usually an autopsy is not needed when the death is clearly from natural causes.

Will autopsy reports be available?

Yes, the next of kin may obtain a copy by written request. This document and other Coroner records will be available after completion of the death investigation.

The Coroner's Office may only provide documents generated by our office. A traffic collision report may be obtained from the investigating law enforcement agency, i.e., South Carolina Highway Patrol or the local law enforcement where the accident occurred.

Will there be a charge for the autopsy or Coroner services?

No. An autopsy authorized by the Coroner as well as coroner services are funded by county, state and at times federal grant funding.

Can I donate my relative’s organs and tissue?

South Carolina has a law that provides an opportunity for the next of kin to donate organs and tissues. Donation can dramatically improve, even save the lives of others. We are glad to assist you by contacting the appropriate agency for you so they can explain to you all options and

benefits of donating. If you prefer, you may call the Sharing Hope of SC at 1-800-462 0755. Operators are available 24 hours a day.

Where can I obtain a death certificate?

(1) Certified copies of death certificates are generally provided by the Funeral Home serving your family at the time of death.

(2) Death Certificates can also be purchased directly through SC Department of Public Health (formally known as DHEC) offices with a Vital Records section. In our surrounding area that will include Greenwood, Lexington and Columbia offices.

(3) Death Certificates can also be obtained going “on-line” to the SCDPH website and following steps for request.

Are deputy coroners police officers?

No. Deputy Coroners are commissioned officers / death investigators who conduct investigations to determine the cause and manner of death. We often work side-by-side with law enforcement, but conduct a separate, yet parallel investigation.