Families and next of kin

The information gathered by the Medical Examiner's Office can help surviving families find answers and protect their own well-being. This page includes information and forms commonly used by family members who are dealing with a recent loss.

Brochure for families (PDF, 1MB)

Autopsy and results

An autopsy is a thorough physical examination of a body to determine how and why a person died. The examination can also identify disease, injury and other conditions that might not have been obvious when the person was alive. Upon request, certain family members (spouse, children, parents and siblings) may be entitled to an autopsy report.

Request an autopsy report

In some cases, an autopsy is required by law. If you think your loved one would object to an autopsy based on their religious beliefs, tell the medical examiner right away. We will work with you to find a solution.

Sometimes the medical examiner must keep larger portions of tissues or even whole organs to fully examine them. If you want those returned, contact our office within two weeks of the autopsy and make arrangements through a funeral director. Otherwise, we dispose of the tissues and organs.

Request a death certificate

• Hennepin County death certificates
• Dakota County death certificates
• Scott County death certificates

For deaths occurring in other Minnesota counties, request a death certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Release of the body

Permissions and decisions

The funeral home may receive the body only with permission from the person with the legal right to decide what happens to the body. In most cases, this is next of kin, but it could also be a health care agent or a member of the extended family. This person must inform the Medical Examiner’s Office if someone else will be making decisions about the body.

• Mortuary science consumer information (includes funeral home search)
• Next of kin authorization for removal
• Next of kin relinquishment of rights to make funeral arrangements
• Affidavit of religious beliefs

Organ and tissue donation

An investigator or member of hospital staff may have already approached you about donating your loved one's tissues or organs. If not, and you're interested in donation, tell the medical examiner staff right away.

Clothing and property

The medical examiner will account for all property and clothing brought into the office and store them in a secure area. In most cases, we release clothing and property to the funeral home. The police might hold items that could affect a criminal case.

Forms for genetic and paternity testing

• Paternity specimen release form
• Genetic testing consent form

Support for families

Grief resources

The death of a loved one can cause stress and sorrow. The county and the state offer a variety of resources for coping with grief and loss. Services range from financial assistance to virtual and in-person counseling and peer support groups.

Grief resources handout (DOCX, 1MB)

Burial assistance

When families can’t afford burial or cremation, the county may be able to help with those expenses.

• Homicide or violent crime deaths: Contact victim services at the Hennepin County Attorney's Office
• Burial assistance for other deaths
  • Hennepin County residents - burial assistance
  • Dakota County residents - burial assistance
  • Scott County residents - burial assistance

Public and nonpublic information

Certain information about the death is available to the public, including full name, age, race, gender, home address, date/time/location of injury and death, and brief descriptive comments.

Medical examiner public information database

Other information about the death is available only to next of kin (usually a spouse, children, parents and siblings), and personal lawyers and doctors.

• Make an information request
• Next of kin authorization for release of records