FAQ – Ohio Coroners

How long does it take for a death ruling to be made?

This procedure is handled differently by various Counties. However, in most cases, a signed death certificate accompanies the body when it is released by the Coroner. When there is insufficient information available to complete the death certificate, a ‘Pending Findings, Fact and Verdict’ death certificate is issued that accompanies the body. This death certificate enables the funeral services and burial to take place while additional chemical, microscopic slide preparation and examination, and investigation continues. At the culmination of these tests and investigation, the ruling is made based on all available information. A supplemental death certificate is then issued with the cause of death and ruling which supersedes the ‘Pending’ death certificate.

When will the autopsy report be completed?

The autopsy report, also called the protocol, usually takes about four weeks to be completed after the autopsy. If microscopic and chemical tests are performed, this time period can lengthen to six to eight weeks.

Where may the clothing of the deceased be located?

Usually, the clothing of the deceased is released to the funeral director for disposal or use as the family requests. In cases of homicide, various suicides, or vehicular deaths, the clothing may be held by the Coroner or the investigating law enforcement agency for use as evidence.

How is a funeral director selected?

Most often, the next-of-kin discusses the selection of the funeral director with the other family members, clergy or friends. The Office of the Coroner is prohibited from recommending a funeral director. A listing of funeral directors is available in the telephone book as well as other sources.

What is an autopsy and is there a charge for it?

An autopsy is a systematic examination by a qualified physician of the body of a deceased person for the purpose of determining the cause of death. A record is made of the findings of the autopsy, including microscopic and toxicologic laboratory tests. These laboratory tests are conducted before the release of the body to the next-of-kin for burial. There is no charge to the next-of-kin for an autopsy, nor for any of the tests that may be conducted by the Coroner.

Does the Coroner need permission from the next-of-kin for an autopsy?

Ohio Law (ORC 2108-52) provides that the Coroner does not need permission for an autopsy. The Office of the Coroner will attempt to comply with the wishes of the next-of-kin, provided this does not conflict with the duties of the Coroner as charged by Ohio Law including due regard for the deceased’s religious persuasion.

When is an autopsy performed?

Not all persons brought to the Coroner’s Office are autopsied. Certain cases are not autopsied where no ‘foul play’ is suspected and evidence of a natural death is present. In other cases where the possibility of legal proceedings may arise as a result of a homicide, accident, suicide, etc., an autopsy will be performed. In these cases, both positive and negative information ordinarily is found which substantiates the ruling and cause of death as signed by the Coroner. Under a recent change in the Ohio Revised Code, any child under the age of two years that is referred to the Coroner’s Office with no known potentially lethal disease shall be autopsied unless contrary to the parent’s religious beliefs. (ORC 313.131)

Why is a body brought to the Coroner's Office?

The remains of deceased persons are brought to the Coroner’s Office because Ohio Law requires that the Coroner investigate deaths of persons dying from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly, when unattended by a physician for a reasonable period of time, in detention, or in any suspicious or unusual manner. Another reason that a body may be brought to the Coroner’s Office is that the identity of the deceased or the next-of-kin is unknown.

How can the deceased's personal effects and other valuables be obtained?

By Ohio Law (ORC 313.14), the Office of the Coroner will take possession of monies and other personal effects of the deceased. These items are inventoried and released to the next-of-kin. (Money over $100.00 may only be released with a ‘Release From Probate Order’ from the court or a ‘Letter of Appointment’ naming an executor of the estate of the deceased.)

How do I make arrangements for a body to be released from the Office of the County Coroner?

Routinely, the Coroner releases the body to a licensed funeral director. The next-of-kin of the deceased person should notify a funeral director who, in turn, will arrange transportation for the deceased to the funeral home and obtain the necessary documents for burial or cremation.

Where can copies of the death certificate be obtained?

Certified copies of death certificates can be obtained only from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of each respective county.

How can I obtain records, including a Coroner's report, autopsy report, and/or toxicology report, pertaining to a death on a case that was referred to the Coroner?

This procedure differs from County to County. To obtain this information, contact your County Coroner.

Organ Removal

The Coroner reserves the right to approve or disapprove the removal of any organ in Coroner cases which may create conflict with the legal responsibility of the Coroner. Such permission will be decided on an individual case basis.

Transporting the Deceased

Transportation will be provided by the Office of the Coroner to the respective county morgue for all bodies that the Coroner has a legal obligation to examine. After the examination has been completed, the decedent’s family will be responsible for contacting the funeral director of their choice to make arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent’s body.

When to report a death to the coroner's office?

When a person dies under any of the below circumstances, the death must be reported to the local Office of the Coroner.

Accidental Deaths
If the death occurs when in apparent good health or in any suspicious or unusual manner including:

Asphyxiation by gagging on foreign substance, including food in airway; compression of the airway or chest by hand, material, or ligature; drowning; handling cyanide; exclusion of oxygen; carbon monoxide; and/or other gasses causing suffocation.
Blows or other forms of mechanical violence
Burns from fire, liquid, chemical, radiation or electricity Carbon monoxide poisoning. (Resulting from natural gas, automobile exhaust or other.)
Cutting, stabbing or gunshot wounds.
Death from electrocution.
Drowning (actual or suspected).
Drug overdose from medication, chemical or poison ingestion, (actual or suspected). This includes any medical substance, narcotic or alcoholic beverage, whether sudden, short or long term survival has occurred.
Electrical shock
Explosion
Falls, including hip fractures or other injury.
Firearm injuries
Stillborn or newborn infant death where there is a recent or past traumatic event involving the mother, such as vehicular accident, homicide, suicide attempt, or drug ingestion that may have precipitated delivery or had a detrimental effect to the newborn.
Vehicular accidents, including auto, bus, train, motorcycle, bicycle, watercraft, snowmobile or aircraft, including driver, passenger, or related non-passenger, (e.g. such as being struck by parts flying or thrown from a vehicle).
Weather related death (e.g. lightning, heat exhaustion, hypothermia or tornado).

Homicidal Deaths
By any means, suspected or known.

Suicidal Deaths
By any means, suspected or known.

Occupational Deaths
Instances in which the environment of present or past employment may have caused or contributed to death by trauma or disease. Deaths in this classification include caisson disease (bends), industrial infections, pneumoconiosis, present or past exposure to toxic waste or product (e.g. nuclear products, asbestos or coal dust), fractures, burns or any other injury received during employment or as a result of past employment, which may have contributed to death.

Sudden Deaths
If the death occurs when in apparent good health or in any suspicious or unusual manner including:

Any person pronounced dead on arrival at any hospital, emergency room of a hospital or doctor’s office shall be reported.
Infants and young children ñ Any infant or young child found dead shall be reported, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (5.1.0.5. or Crib Death).
All stillborn infants where there is suspected or actual injury to the mother.
All deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission to a hospital unless the patient has been under the continuous care of a physician.
Deaths occurring while in any jail, confinement or custody.
Deaths under unknown circumstances whenever there are no witnesses or where little or no information can be elicited concerning the deceased person.
Sudden death on the street, at home, in a public place, or at place of employment.
Alcoholism.
Drug abuse, habitual use of drugs or drug addiction.
Special Circumstances
Any death involving allegations of suspicious medical malpractice or possibly poor medical/surgical care.
Any maternal or infant death where there is suspicious or illegal interference by unethical or unqualified persons or self-induction.
“Delayed death,” an unusual type of case, where the immediate cause of death may actually be from natural disease. However, injury may have occurred days, weeks, months, or even years before death and is responsible for initiating the sequence of medical conditions or events leading to death. This would be considered a coroner’s case and is therefore reportable. The most common examples of this type of case are 1) past traffic accidents with debilitating injury and long-term care in a nursing home and 2) hip fractures of the elderly where there is a downward course of condition after the injury.

Therapeutic Deaths

Death occurring under the influence of anesthesia, during the anesthetic induction, during the post-anesthetic period without the patient regaining consciousness (including death following long-term survival if the original incident is thought to be related to the surgical procedure and/or anesthetic agent).
Death during or following any diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, whether medical or survival time, if death is thought to be directly related to the procedure or complications from said procedure.
Death due to the administration of a drug, serum, vaccine, or any other substance for any diagnostic, therapeutic or immunological purpose.
Any Death Where There is a Doubt, Question or Suspicion Not all reported cases fall into the above noted categories. After the investigation is completed, many will be returned to the jurisdiction or institution where the death certificate will be signed by the attending physician as a natural death.

Only the Coroner can legally sign a death certificate of a person who has died as a direct or indirect result of any cause listed in the previously noted reportable deaths.

How to report a death to the coroner's office

In order to report a death, call the Office of your respective County Coroner, day or night, and state “I wish to report a death.”

It is requested that the following information, if known, be provided:

Name and address of the deceased
Age and date of birth
Sex and race
Social Security number
Marital status
Next-of-kin, name, address, phone number
Place and manner of occurrence
Date and time of occurrence
Date and time of death
Name of person pronouncing death
Name of person reporting death
Any other information which may be helpful
Location of the body
Name of funeral home

Laws/Attorney General Opinion

Ohio Revised Code

The following selected sections of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) are listed so that the responsible individual may fully understand that providing information to the Coroner is to comply with the law and that failure to do so would place that person in jeopardy of prosecution.

ORC 313.01 ELECTED; TERM
ORC 313.02 QUALIFICATIONS FOR CORONER; CONTINUING EDUCATION
ORC 313.14 NOTICE TO RELATIVES; DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
ORC 313.01 ELECTED; TERM
A coroner shall be elected quadrennially in each county, who shall hold his office for a term of four years, beginning on the first Monday of January next after his election. As used in the Revised Code, unless the context otherwise requires, “coroner” means the coroner of the county in which death occurs or the dead human body is found.

ORC 313.02 QUALIFICATIONS FOR CORONER; CONTINUING EDUCATION
(A) No person shall be eligible to the office of coroner except a physician who has been licensed to practice as a physician in this state for a period of at least two years immediately preceding election or appointment as a coroner, and who is in good standing in the person’s profession, or is a person who was serving as coroner on October 12, 1945.
(B)(1) Beginning in calendar year 2000 and in each fourth year thereafter, each newly elected coroner, after the general election but prior to commencing the term of office to which elected, shall attend and successfully complete sixteen hours of continuing education at programs sponsored by the Ohio state coroners association. Within ninety days after appointment to the office of coroner under section 305.02 of the Revised Code, the newly appointed coroner shall attend and successfully complete sixteen hours of continuing education at programs sponsored by the association. Hours of continuing education completed under the requirement described in division (B)(1) of this section shall not be counted toward fulfilling the continuing education requirement described in division (B)(2) of this section.
As used in division (B)(1) of this section, “newly elected coroner” means a person who did not hold the office of coroner on the date the person was elected coroner.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, beginning in calendar year 2001, each coroner, during the coroner’s four-year term, shall attend and successfully complete thirty-two hours of continuing education at programs sponsored by the Ohio state coroners association. Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, each coroner shall attend and successfully complete twenty-four of these thirty-two hours at statewide meetings, and eight of these thirty-two hours at regional meetings, sponsored by the association. The association may approve attendance at continuing education programs it does not sponsor but, if attendance is approved, successful completion of hours at these programs shall be counted toward fulfilling only the twenty-four-hour requirement described in division (B)(2) of this section.
(3) Upon successful completion of a continuing education program required by division (B)(1) or (2) of this section, the person who successfully completes the program shall receive from the association or the sponsoring organization a certificate indicating that the person successfully completed the program.

ORC 313.14 NOTICE TO RELATIVES; DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
The coroner shall notify any known relatives of a deceased person who meets death in the manner described by section 313.12 of the Revised Code by letter or otherwise. The next of kin, other relatives, or friends of the deceased person, in the order named, shall have prior right as to disposition of the body of such deceased person. If relatives of the deceased are unknown, the coroner shall make a diligent effort to ascertain the next of kin, other relatives, or friends of the deceased person. The coroner shall take charge and possession of all moneys, clothing, and other valuable personal effects of such deceased person, found in connection with or pertaining to such body, and shall store such possessions in the county coroner’s office or such other suitable place as is provided for such storage by the board of county commissioners. If the coroner considers it advisable, he may[,] after taking adequate precautions for the security of such possessions, store the possessions where he finds them until other storage space becomes available. After using such of the clothing as is necessary in the burial of the body, in case the cost of the burial is paid by the county, the coroner shall sell at public auction the valuable personal effects of such deceased persons, found in connection with or pertaining to the unclaimed dead body, except firearms, which shall be disposed of as provided by section 313.141 [313.14.1] of the Revised Code, and he shall make a verified inventory of such effects. Such effects shall be sold within eighteen months after burial, or after delivery of such body in accordance with section 1713.34 of the Revised Code. All moneys derived from such sale shall be deposited in the county treasury. A notice of such sale shall be given in one newspaper of general circulation in the county, for five days in succession, and the sale shall be held immediately thereafter. The cost of such advertisement and notices shall be paid by the board upon the submission of a verified statement therefor, certified to the coroner.

This section does not invalidate section 1713.34 of the Revised Code.

State Sheriff Map and Listings

http://www.buckeyesheriffs.org/county-map.php

County prosecutor's offices

http://www.ohiopa.org/yourprosecutor.html

Law Enforcement/Medical Laws

ORC 313.091 REQUEST FOR DECEDENT’S MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC RECORDS
ORC 313.11 REMOVAL OR DISTURBING OF BODY OR EFFECTS PROHIBITED
ORC 313.12 NOTICE TO CORONER OF VIOLENT, SUSPICIOUS, UNUSUAL OR SUDDEN DEATH
ORC 313.141 FIREARMS IN PERSONAL EFFECTS OF DECEASED PERSON
ORC 313.15 DETERMINATION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEATH
ORC 313.21 TESTING FOR SUSPECTED TOXIC SUBSTANCES OR FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES; RECORDS
ORC 4713.14.01 PRONOUNCEMENT OF DEATH
OAG 39-727
OAG 47-1723
OAG 73-123

ORC 313.091 REQUEST FOR DECEDENT’S MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC RECORDS
In connection with the performance of duties under this chapter, a coroner, deputy coroner, or representative of a coroner or deputy coroner may request, in writing, to inspect and receive a copy of the deceased person’s medical and psychiatric records. The person to whom the request is delivered shall make such records in the person’s custody available during normal business hours to the coroner, deputy coroner, or representative for purposes of inspection and copying. A person who provides copies of medical or psychiatric records pursuant to a request made under this section may request, in writing, reimbursement in a specified amount for the necessary and reasonable costs of copying the records, in which case the coroner, deputy coroner, or representative shall remit that amount to the person upon receipt of the copies.
Any medical or psychiatric record provided to a coroner, deputy coroner, or representative of a coroner or deputy coroner under this section is not a public record subject to section 149.43 of the Revised Code. The release of a deceased person’s medical or psychiatric records to a coroner, deputy coroner, or representative of a coroner or deputy coroner in accordance with this section does not violate division (B)(4) of section 4731.22 or section 5122.31 of the Revised Code.
As used in this section and section 313.10 of the Revised Code, “medical record” has the same meaning as in division (A)(3) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code

ORC 313.11 REMOVAL OR DISTURBING OF BODY OR EFFECTS PROHIBITED
(A) No person, without an order from the coroner, any deputy coroner, or an investigator or other person designated by the coroner as having authority to issue an order under this section, shall purposely remove or disturb the body of any person who has died in the manner described in section 313.12 of the Revised Code, or purposely and without such an order disturb the clothing or any article upon or near such a body or any of the possessions that the coroner has a duty to store under section 313.14 of the Revised Code.
(B) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section that the offender attempted in good faith to rescue or administer life-preserving assistance to the deceased person, even though it is established he was dead at the time of the attempted rescue or assistance.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of unlawfully disturbing a body, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

ORC 313.12 NOTICE TO CORONER OF VIOLENT, SUSPICIOUS, UNUSUAL OR SUDDEN DEATH
When any person dies as a result of criminal or other violent means, by casualty, by suicide, or in any suspicious or unusual manner, or when any person, including a child under two years of age, dies suddenly when in apparent good health, the physician called in attendance, or any member of an ambulance service, emergency squad, or law enforcement agency who obtains knowledge thereof arising from his duties, shall immediately notify the office of the coroner of the known facts concerning the time, place, manner, and circumstances of the death, and any other information which is required pursuant to sections 313.01 to 313.22 of the Revised Code. In such cases, if a request is made for cremation, the funeral director called in attendance shall immediately notify the coroner.

ORC 313.141 FIREARMS IN PERSONAL EFFECTS OF DECEASED PERSON
If firearms are included in the valuable personal effects of a deceased person who met death in the manner described by section 313.12 of the Revised Code, the coroner shall deliver the firearms to the chief of police of the municipal corporation within which the body is found, or to the sheriff of the county if the body is not found within a municipal corporation. The firearms shall be used for law enforcement purposes only or they shall be destroyed. Upon delivery of the firearms to the chief of police or the sheriff, the law enforcement officer to whom the delivery is made shall give the coroner a receipt for the firearms that states the date of delivery and an accurate description of the firearms.

ORC 313.15 DETERMINATION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEATH
All dead bodies in the custody of the coroner shall be held until such time as the coroner, after consultation with the prosecuting attorney, or with the police department of a municipal corporation, if the death occurred in a municipal corporation, or with the sheriff, has decided that it is no longer necessary to hold such body to enable him to decide on a diagnosis giving a reasonable and true cause of death, or to decide that such body is no longer necessary to assist any of such officials in his duties.

ORC 313.21 TESTING FOR SUSPECTED TOXIC SUBSTANCES OR FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES; RECORDS
(A) The coroner may use or may allow the use of the coroner’s laboratory and facilities for tests in an emergency involving suspected toxic substances or for law enforcement-related testing, and may direct his assistants and other personnel to perform such testing in addition to testing performed in execution of their duties as set forth in sections 313.01 to 313.22 of the Revised Code. Nothing in this division shall permit such testing except in compliance with state and federal quality assurance requirements for medical laboratories.
(B) The coroner shall keep a complete record of all chemical tests and other tests performed each fiscal year pursuant to division (A) of this section, the public agency, hospital, or person for whom the test was performed, and the cost incurred for each test. This record shall be kept in the office of the coroner.

ORC 4713.14.01 PRONOUNCEMENT OF DEATH
A. Only an individual holding a current certificate to practice medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery issued under section 4731.14 of the Ohio Revised Code can pronounce a person dead.
B. An individual as defined in paragraph (A) of this rule may pronounce a person dead without personally examining the body of the deceased only if a competent observer has recited the facts of the deceasedís present medical condition to the physician and the physician is satisfied that death has occurred.
C. For the purpose of this rule a competent observer shall mean:

(1) A registered nurse holding a current certificate issued under Chapter 4723 of the Ohio Revised Code;

(2) A licensed practical nurse holding a current certificate issued under Chapter 4723 of the Ohio Revised Code;

(3) An EMT-A holding a current certificate pursuant to section 3303.15 of the Ohio Revised Code;

(4) An ADV EMT-A holding a current certificate pursuant to section 3303.15 of the Ohio Revised Code;

(5) A paramedic holding a current certificate pursuant to section 3303.15 of the Ohio Revised Code;

(6) An intern or resident participating in a training program that is accredited by the ACGME, the AOA, or the CPME;

(7) A clinical fellow participating in fellowship training at an institution having a residency program in the same or a related clinical field which is accredited by the ACGME, the AOA, or the CPME;

(8) An embalmer or funeral director holding a current license issued under Chapter 4717 of the Ohio Revised Code who has been certified pursuant to rules adopted by the board of embalmers and funeral directors as:
(a) Having completed coursework in vital signs or patient assessment determined by that board to be substantially similar to the coursework required for EMT-A, ADV EMT-A, or paramedic certification under Chapter 3303 of the Ohio Revised Code; and
(b) Having periodically completed coursework in vital signs or patient assessment approved by, and acceptable to, that board;

(9) A physicianís assistant employed pursuant to a current certificate of registration issued under Chapter 4730 of the Ohio Revised Code;

(10) A chiropractor holding a current certificate issued under Chapter 4734 of the Ohio Revised Code;

(11) An individual holding a current certificate to practice medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery issued under section 4731.14 of the Ohio Revised Code and an individual holding a current certificate to practice podiatry issued under section 4731.5 of the Ohio Revised Code.

OAG 39-727
Coroner is not required to sign a death certificate where death is not supposed to have been caused by unlawful or suspicious means.

OAG 47-1723
In case of death of any person in a hospital, resulting from an accident, it is the duty of the physician in charge and of any other person having knowledge of fact, immediately to notify coroner of death, and of time, place, manner, and circumstances thereof.

OAG 73-123
Under 313.11 and 313.12, the Coroner does not have jurisdiction over the body of a deceased person unless the death has occurred “as a result of criminal or other violent means or by casualty, or by suicide, or suddenly when in apparent health, or in any suspicious or unusual manner.” And when none of the above circumstances are present, the coroner has jurisdiction only if the deceased is unknown or if those who are entitled to custody of the body do not claim it.

Ohio Revised Code

ORC 313.02 QUALIFICATIONS FOR CORONER; CONTINUING EDUCATION
ORC 313.13 AUTOPSY; BLOOD TEST OF DECEDENT KILLED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
ORC 313.131 PROCEDURE WHEN AUTOPSY IS CONTRARY TO DECEDENT’S RELIGIOUS BELIEF
ORC 313.19 CORONER’S VERDICT THE LEGALLY ACCEPTED CAUSE OF DEATH

ORC 313.13 AUTOPSY; BLOOD TEST OF DECEDENT KILLED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
(A) The coroner, any deputy coroner, an investigator appointed pursuant to section 313.05 of the Revised Code, or any other person the coroner designates as having the authority to act under this section may go to the dead body and take charge of it. Whether and when an autopsy is performed shall be determined under sections 313.121 [313.12.1] and 313.131 [313.13.1] of the Revised Code. If an autopsy is performed by the coroner, deputy coroner, or pathologists, a detailed description of the observations written during the progress of such autopsy, or as soon after such autopsy as reasonably possible, and the conclusions drawn from the observations shall be filed in the office of the coroner.
If he takes charge of and decides to perform, or performs, an autopsy on a dead body under section 313.121 [313.12.1] or 313.131 [313.13.1] of the Revised Code, the coroner, or in his absence, any deputy coroner, under division (E) of section 2108.02 of the Revised Code, may waive his paramount right to any donated part of the dead body.
(B) If the office of the coroner is notified that a person who was the operator of a motor vehicle that was involved in an accident or crash was killed in the accident or crash or died as a result of injuries suffered in it, the coroner, deputy coroner, or pathologist shall go to the dead body and take charge of it and administer a chemical test to the blood of the deceased person to determine the alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug content of the blood. This division does not authorize the coroner, deputy coroner, or pathologist to perform an autopsy, and does not affect and shall not be construed as affecting the provisions of section 313.131 [313.13.1] of the Revised Code that govern the determination of whether and when an autopsy is to be performed.

ORC 313.131 PROCEDURE WHEN AUTOPSY IS CONTRARY TO DECEDENT’S RELIGIOUS BELIEF
(A) As used in this section:
(1) “Friend” means any person who maintained regular contact with the deceased person, and who was familiar with the deceased person’s activities, health, and religious beliefs at the time of the deceased person’s death, any person who assumes custody of the body for burial, and any person authorized by written instrument, executed by the deceased person to make burial arrangements.
(2) “Relative” means any of the following persons: the deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, parents, or siblings.
(B) The coroner, deputy coroner, or pathologist shall perform an autopsy if, in the opinion of the coroner, or, in his absence, in the opinion of the deputy coroner, an autopsy is necessary, except for certain circumstances provided for in this section where a relative or friend of the deceased person informs the coroner that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, or the coroner otherwise has reason to believe that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs. The coroner has such reason to believe an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs if a document signed by the deceased and stating an objection to an autopsy is found on the deceased’s person or in his effects. For the purposes of this division, a person is a relative or friend of the deceased person if the person presents an affidavit stating that he is a relative or friend as defined in division (A) of this section.
(C)(1) Except as provided in division (F) of this section, if a relative or friend of the deceased person informs the coroner that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, or the coroner otherwise has reason to believe that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, and the coroner concludes the autopsy is a compelling public necessity, no autopsy shall be performed for forty-eight hours after the coroner takes charge of the deceased person. An autopsy is a compelling public necessity if it is necessary to the conduct of an investigation by law enforcement officials of a homicide or suspected homicide, or any other criminal investigation, or is necessary to establish the cause of the deceased person’s death for the purpose of protecting against an immediate and substantial threat to the public health. During the forty-eight hour period, the objecting relative or friend may file suit to enjoin the autopsy, and shall give notice of any such filing to the coroner. The coroner may seek an order waiving the forty-eight hour waiting period. If the coroner seeks such an order, the court shall give notice of the coroner’s motion, by telephone if necessary, to the objecting relative or friend, or, if none objected, to all of the deceased person’s relatives whose addresses or telephone numbers can be obtained through the exercise of reasonable diligence. The court may grant the coroner’s motion if the court determines that no friend or relative of the deceased person objects to the autopsy or if the court is satisfied that any objections of a friend or relative have been heard, and if it also determines that the delay may prejudice the accuracy of the autopsy, or if law enforcement officials are investigating the deceased person’s death as a homicide and suspect the objecting party committed the homicide or aided or abetted in the homicide. If no friend or relative files suit within the forty-eight hour period, the coroner may proceed with the autopsy.
(2) The court shall hear a petition to enjoin an autopsy within forty-eight hours after the filing of the petition. The Rules of Civil Procedure shall govern all aspects of the proceedings, except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section. The court is not bound by the Rules of Evidence in the conduct of the hearing. The court shall order the autopsy if the court finds that under the circumstances the coroner has demonstrated a need for the autopsy. If the court enjoins the autopsy, the coroner shall immediately proceed under section 313.14 of the Revised Code.
(D)(1) If a relative or friend of the decedent informs the coroner that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, or the coroner otherwise has reason to believe that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, and the coroner concludes the autopsy is necessary, but not a compelling public necessity, the coroner may file a petition in a court of common pleas seeking a declaratory judgment authorizing the autopsy. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall schedule a hearing on the petition, and shall issue a summons to the objecting relative or friend, or, if none objected, to all of the deceased person’s relatives whose addresses can be obtained through the exercise of reasonable diligence. The court shall hold the hearing no later than forty-eight hours after the filing of the petition. The court shall conduct the hearing in the manner provided in division (C)(2) of this section.
(2) Each person claiming to be a relative or friend of the deceased person shall immediately upon receipt of the summons file an affidavit with the court stating the facts upon which the claim is based. If the court finds that any person is falsely representing himself as a relative or friend of the deceased person, the court shall dismiss the person from the action. If after dismissal no objecting party remains, and the coroner does not have reason to believe that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, the court shall dismiss the action and the coroner may proceed with the autopsy. The court shall order the autopsy after hearing the petition if the court finds that under the circumstances the coroner has demonstrated a need for the autopsy. The court shall waive the payment of all court costs in the action. If the petition is denied, the coroner shall immediately proceed under section 313.14 of the Revised Code.
Any autopsy performed pursuant to a court order granting an autopsy shall be performed using the least intrusive procedure.
(E) For purposes of divisions (B), (C)(1), and (D)(1) of this section, any time the friends or relatives of a deceased person disagree about whether an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, the coroner shall consider only the information provided to him by the person of highest priority, as determined by which is listed first among the following:
(1) The deceased person’s surviving spouse;
(2) An adult son or daughter of the deceased person;
(3) Either parent of the deceased person;
(4) An adult brother or sister of the deceased person;
(5) The guardian of the person of the deceased person at the time of death;
(6) A person other than those listed in divisions (E)(1) to (5) of this section who is a friend as defined in division (A)[(1)] of this section.
If two or more persons of equal priority disagree about whether an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs, and those persons are also of the highest priority among those who provide the coroner with information the coroner has reason to believe that an autopsy is contrary to the deceased person’s religious beliefs. (F)(1) Divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section do not apply in any case involving aggravated murder, suspected aggravated murder, murder, suspected murder, manslaughter offenses, or suspected manslaughter offenses. (2) This section does not prohibit the coroner, deputy coroner, or pathologist from administering a chemical test to the blood of a deceased person to determine the alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug content of the blood, when required by division (B) of section 313.13 of the Revised Code, and does not limit the coroner, deputy coroner, or pathologist in the performance of his duties in administering a chemical test under that division.

ORC 313.19 CORONER’S VERDICT THE LEGALLY ACCEPTED CAUSE OF DEATH
The cause of death and the manner and mode in which the death occurred, as delivered by the coroner and incorporated in the coroner’s verdict and in the death certificate filed with the division of vital statistics, shall be the legally accepted manner and mode in which such death occurred, and the legally accepted cause of death, unless the court of common pleas of the county in which the death occurred, after a hearing, directs the coroner to change his decision as to such cause and manner and mode of death.

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