Your loved one will be transported to the Terrebonne Parish Coroner's Office Morgue.This facility is where we will perform a medical examination on the deceased.

The following is a list of deaths the coroner is required by law to investigate.

1. Suspected sudden infant death syndrome (crib deaths).
2. Death occurring within 24 hours of admission at a hospital or health care facility.
3. Physician unable to state cause of death.
4. Known or suspected homicide.
5. Known or suspected suicide.
6. Death involving any criminal action.
7. Related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion.
8. Following an accident or injury (primary or contributory). Deaths known or suspected as a result in whole or in part from or related to accident or injury, either old or recent.
9. Drowning, fire, hanging, gunshot, stabbing, exposure, acute alcoholism, drug addition, strangulation, aspiration, or malnutrition.
10. Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents).
11. Occupational diseases or occupational hazards.
12. Known or suspected contagious disease constituting a public hazard.
13. Incarceration.
14. Unattended deaths (no physician in attendance or during the continued absence of the attending physician).
15. All deaths of unidentified persons.

Not always. If the death is a "Natural Death" and the deceased has a physician who knows the medical cause of death and will furnish the coroner with an acceptable cause, the coroner will normally not perform an autopsy.

There are a number of reasons autopsies are performed. However, the basic reason is to determine the medical cause of death. Another primary reason is to gather evidence for presentation in a court of law.

No.

No. In a majority of the cases, visual identification is not required. Should it become necessary for you to come in or assist in obtaining medical and/or dental records you will be contacted.

Due to legal and health issues, visitation of the loved one is done only at the funeral home after the body is properly prepared.

Contact the funeral director of your choice as soon as possible and advise him/her what has transpired. Your funeral director will then coordinate further arrangements with the hospital and help you begin the preparations for your loved one's funeral.

The approval of the coroner's office is required for tissue/organ donation for deaths that are under the auspices of the coroner's jurisdiction. With next of kin consent, the family's wishes for donation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; a representative of the tissue/organ donation organization may contact you.

Generally it should not take more than two days. Your Funeral Director will coordinate the release on your behalf.

As soon as possible, select a funeral home of your choice and inform the funeral director that the death is being handled by the coroner's office. Ask them to contact us. Our office does not select funeral homes, nor do we make arrangements. The coroner must be provided with written authorization to release the deceased to a funeral home.

Persons who have served in the Armed Forces, were honorably discharged, and meet other service requirements are entitled to Veteran's benefits. Your funeral director may assist you with Military Veteran's or Social Security Benefits.

Any personal possessions in the custody of the coroner are released to the legal next of kin at the time of death notification. A release form is required to receive any personal possessions. Clothing is not usually considered property. Unless there is a need to hold clothing as evidence, it is released to the mortuary with the body. Clothing that presents a health hazard may be disposed of for safety of all persons involved.

You may call the American Red Cross. The Red Cross will assist you in notification of the decease's next of kin and arrangements for the family member's return home.