SALUDA COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE

Mission Statement

To serve the people of Saluda County with professionalism and integrity while upholding our commitment to determine the cause and manner of death in a dignified manner while maintaining respect for the family.

How We Serve

The Coroner is a county official who is elected to serve a four-year term.

The Coroner is the “Chief Death Investigator” of the county and has jurisdiction over all deaths occurring in the county. We work and are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Saluda County Coroner’s Office main duties are to determine the cause and manner of death of every fatality in Saluda County. The Coroner must investigate each death and determine the circumstances whether it be suspicious, violent, or sudden. Certain deaths occurring from natural causes must also be investigated, along with deaths occurring less than 24 hours after admission to a hospital or emergency room. The Coroner signs death certificates, issues burial removal permits, issues cremation permits and makes death notifications for other counties.

The Coroner must ensure that the scene of a death and all evidence is preserved. The Coroner must determine through the investigation whether the death was from natural, accidental, homicidal, suicidal, or of undetermined causes. The body must be examined and the surroundings of the scene are considered. The Coroner coordinates the investigation involving multiple investigative agencies including Law Enforcement. Experts from pathology, anthropology, toxicology, odontology, entomology, trace evidence collection, and other forensic specialties may assist in the process. The Coroner determines when an autopsy is performed and, in most cases, is present at the autopsy. It is the Coroner’s responsibility to ensure that all personal belongings of the decedent are protected and returned to the family. The Coroner is responsible for notifying the relatives and/or loved ones of the unfortunate death and does this in person when at all possible. After the initial investigation the body of the deceased will be released for the family to make appropriate arrangements. When our investigations are completed, we will continue to be a resource to the families for as long as they need us during these difficult times. Each member of the Coroner’s Office works to make sure this process is accomplished with professionalism and compassion.