1225 S. "O" Street
Tulare, California 93274
Phone: (559) 685-2593
Fax (559) 685-2607
On behalf of the Sheriff and the Coroner Staff, we extend our deepest sympathy to you who have recently experienced a loss through death. It is our intention here to provide you answers to some of the most commonly asked questions in a written format you can refer back to as needed. Otherwise, please feel free to call the Coroner’s Office M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 at the above listed number..
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Why is the Coroner involved in this death?
A. All deaths in Tulare County are actually not reported to the Coroner’s Office. The Coroner is required by state law (Government Code 27491) to inquire into all deaths and determine the circumstances, manner and cause of death where the death is the evident result of homicide, suicide, accidental or undetermined causes. It also includes deaths where the deceased has not been seen by their physician within 20 days preceding the death and/or is truly unable to provide a reasonable cause of death. Natural deaths occurring in a hospital or other medical facility, or where the primary care physician is actually present are not coroner cases and do not require a coroner death investigation. About 40- 50% of all deaths in Tulare County fall into this category so consequently the Coroner may not be aware of them.
Q. When will an autopsy be performed.
A. An autopsy will always be performed in support of a homicide investigation and most child or infant deaths. Non-invasive or external examinations are performed in the case of most accidental deaths. They may also be performed when the death is unexpected as in the case of an apparently healthy person with no medical history. In any case, the Coroner has complete discretion to autopsy where there are no religious objections.
Autopsies normally will not be performed when all of the following apply:
A. The death is a "natural"death
B. The decedent has a physician with knowledge of the medical facts of the decedent’s case.
C. The decedent has treated the patient within 20 days prior to death.
D. The physician can provide a reasonable cause.
Note *If the Coroner determines that an autopsy or forensic examination is required, the Coroner may retain tissues, organ(s), blood and/or bodily fluids as necessary or advisable for inquiry into the case, or for the verification of his/her findings. (Ref: Ca. Government Code 27491.4) Tissues, organs or body fluids retained at autopsy or as part of any coroner investigative procedure will be disposed of pursuant to California health and Safety Code Section 7054.4
Q. Where is my loved one being taken?
A. If you or a family member were present at the death scene you were given the option to choose a funeral home located in Tulare County and the body will go to that funeral home. When responsible next-of-kin are not immediately available the decedent will go to a local stand-by mortuary on a rotational basis. You may have the body transferred to a funeral home of your choice when the Coroner’s investigation is completed. If the death was due to a homicide or other unusual event they will be taken directly to the Tulare County Morgue and released after examination to the mortuary of your choice. This process will generally take two to three working days.
Q. Can we view the body at the Coroner’s office?
A. Viewing is not allowed at the Coroner’s Office for both health and safety reasons. Relatives should make arrangements with the mortuary to view there after release.
Q. When will I know the cause of death?
A. When established by a Coroner’s investigation through the use of medical records and forensic examination, the preliminary cause of death will be available to family within two to three working days. If further laboratory testing and investigation is required, it may take several months to receive test results and establish causes. In these instances the death certificate will show "Pending" in the cause of death section.
Q. When is the body released?
A. The deceased will generally be released immediately after examination except in the case of homicide where they may be held for an additional 24 hours. The body will be returned to the funeral home designated at the time of death or in special circumstances, directly to the Tulare County funeral home of choice.
Q. How long will it take to get a copy of the Coroner’s Report?
A. It usually takes 30 to 45 days for the Coroner’s Investigation to be completed.
A final copy of the autopsy report may require additional time depending on the complexity of the case. One copy of the Coroner’s Report is available to the next-of-kin at no charge. Additional copies of the coroner’s report cost one dollar ($1.00) per page generally averaging $5.00 to $10.00 per report.
To obtain the first copy, mail or walk-in a written request with the decedent’s name, date of death and case number, if available, as well as a statement of relationship to the deceased to:
Tulare County Coroner
1225 S. "O" Street
Tulare, California 93274
Q. Where do I get the death certificate?
A. The Coroner’s Office does not process death certificates. They may be obtained through your funeral home of record or from the Vital Statistics Office of the Tulare County Department of Health and Human Services: 1062 South "K" Street, Tulare, Ca. 93274. (559) 687-6963.
Q. What if I can’t afford to make funeral arrangements?
A. If the responsible next-of-kin can not afford to make arrangements for the burial or cremation of the deceased, they may contact the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency nearest the decedent’s last residence as follows:
Dinuba: 1066 N. Alta Avenue, Dinuba, Ca. 93618 (559) 591-5804
Lindsay: 900 N. Sequoia Avenue, Lindsay Ca 93247 (559) 562-1377
Porterville: 75 W.Olive, Porterville, Ca 93258 (559) 782-4750
Tulare: 458 E. O’Neil Avenue, Tulare, Ca 93275 (559) 685-2600
Visalia: 100 E. Center Street, Visalia, Ca 93279 (559)733-6110
These offices administer the county’s indigent cremation program. Application should be made as soon as possible. Your funeral director should be able to assist you with this process. The program provides low-cost cremation only and restricts most common funeral practices such as viewing and mortuary services. The program requires a 30 day waiting period and requests the nominal fee of $400.00 be paid at pick-up from the Coroner’s Office. Payment is not, however, mandatory at time of pick-up.
Q. Are blood specimens available for paternity testing and what is required for release?
A. Blood samples are currently retained by our contract laboratory for 5 years. These samples are frozen and may not always be suitable for DNA. In some instances, we may not have a sufficient quantity to suit the protocols of some laboratories. Written authorization must be obtained from the decedent’s next-of-kin and the Coroner before any specimens can be released. In some cases, a court order from a Tulare County court may be required.
Q. I have been contacted by a transplant donor network. What are our options regarding organ, cornea or tissue donation?
A. All hospitals in the State of California are required by law to immediately report deaths of potential donors to a designated transplant organization. Because a single donor can save or improve the lives of as many as 10-25 people, this Coroner’s Office supports these programs in many ways. Because our first mission is to establish the cause of death we may not permit a donation from time to time. The decision to donate however is yours! If you have not been contacted and desire to do so you may contact
