FAQ – Office of the Coroner

Are there any other educational opportunities available?

The Chief Coroner and her staff teach regularly and provide many educational presentations to community groups, students, and other professionals. Classes, presentations, and Office tours may be arranged. For more information please contact the Office or email Coronerquestions@adcogov.org.

I would like to volunteer, see an autopsy, or do an internship. Where do I start?

The minimum qualifications required to obtain an internship with Office of the Coroner are listed under the OPPORTUNITIES tab of this website. All internship applications must be submitted through the Adams County Government website. Due to the nature of the work, volunteer opportunities are limited with the Office of the Coroner. Any available volunteer opportunities […]

I want to work for the Office of the Coroner. What qualifications do I need and how do I apply?

Current job openings, as well as the minimum qualifications for all entry-level positions with the Office of the Coroner, are listed under the OPPORTUNITIES tab of this website. All applications must be submitted through the Adams County Government website. Applications sent directly to the Office of the Coroner will not be considered.

My loved one died in another county and the coroner there declined to do an autopsy. Can I pay for an autopsy through the Adams and Broomfield County Office of the Coroner?

Yes, this is referred to as a private autopsy. Please contact the Office for more information.

Where do I obtain resources for coping with the death of my loved one?

Helpful grief resources are listed under the GRIEF SUPPORT tab of this website.

What do I do if I cannot afford to pay for final arrangements (burial/cremation) for my loved one

If your loved one was a veteran, you may contact Veteran’s Affairs toll free at 1-800-827-1000 for funeral assistance that may be available to you. Also, the website for Veterans Affairs has many resources available that may help to cover the cost of final disposition arrangements for veterans and/or their immediate family members. The website […]

I have family members in the military. How do I notify them of the death?

The American Red Cross can assist you in notifying family members in the military and with arranging for their return home. They can be reached at 303-722-7474.

How do I get a death certificate?

The Office of the Coroner does not issue death certificates to the general public. Death certificates may be obtained through the mortuary that handled your loved one’s final arrangements. Death certificates are also available through the Vital Records Section of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Ph: 303-692-2200. If an autopsy was […]

Can I come to your office to view my loved one’s body?

No, we recommend that you wait to view your loved one in the comfort of a mortuary setting as the Office of the Coroner is not equipped to prepare the deceased for a traditional viewing.

Do I need to identify the deceased individual’s body?

We do not need you to come to the office to identify your loved one. If you are needed to assist in the identification process, we will contact you.

There is blood and other biohazardous material in the location where my loved one died. Who can I call to help clean the area?

There are numerous biohazard and crime scene clean-up companies that can be found on the internet and in the phone book. You may also contact your local law enforcement agency for referrals.

My loved one had property on or with him/her when he/she passed away. How do I get these items back?

In MOST circumstances all CLOTHING that your loved one was wearing at the time of his/her death will be released to the mortuary with your loved one’s body. In MOST circumstances all other property is stored in safekeeping at the Office of the Coroner until it can be returned to you (the legal next-of-kin). If […]

My loved one had an autopsy. Will we still be able to have an open casket at the funeral?

The surgical procedures used to perform the autopsy do not interfere with having an open casket funeral.

My loved one had an autopsy. How do I get a copy of the autopsy report?

In most cases, the autopsy report is a public record. A written request must be submitted to the Office in order to receive a copy of the autopsy report. For your convenience, a request form can be found under the FORMS tab on this website. Please follow the instructions on the form. If you are […]

My loved one had an autopsy. When will the final results be available?

The autopsy procedure is a very comprehensive examination. The process and the associated testing that is completed are time-consuming. The final report (referred to as the autopsy report) is usually available fourteen weeks after the autopsy.

What if I do want an autopsy performed and the Chief Coroner decides not to perform an autopsy?

If the Chief Coroner declines to do an autopsy, the deceased individual’s legal next-of-kin can privately hire a pathologist to perform an autopsy. The associated cost ranges from approximately $2000.00 to $5000.00 and is the responsibility of the legal next-of-kin. Pathologists available for private hire, to perform an autopsy, can be found on the internet, […]

What if I do NOT want an autopsy to be performed?

Please let us know why you may or may not want an autopsy performed on your loved one. In some cases, we may be able to accommodate your request. However, please understand that autopsies authorized by the Chief Coroner are not elective and do not require the consent of the next-of-kin.

How will I know if an autopsy is performed on my loved one?

You may call the Office of the Coroner, during business hours, to find out if an autopsy will be or has been performed. You (the legal next of kin) may also receive notification, from the office via postal mail, advising that an autopsy has been performed.

Will my loved one receive a postmortem autopsy?

Autopsies are performed at the discretion of the Chief Coroner, in accordance with Colorado law and forensic standards of practice. The decision is based on the circumstances of your loved one’s death. Autopsies are not performed on everyone. If you have a specific reason for wanting an autopsy performed on a loved one, please convey […]

What about organ/tissue or whole body donation?

The deceased individual must meet certain criteria to be eligible for organ, tissue, and/or whole-body donation. Additionally, deaths under the investigation of the Office of the Coroner require the approval of Coroner staff for donation to proceed. Sometimes the circumstances of the death will prevent donation from occurring. With the consent from the legal next […]

Do I have to pay for the Coroner’s services (autopsy, investigation, specimen testing etc.

The Office of the Coroner is a county government office, funded by tax dollars. Standard services performed by the Office of the Coroner, on cases under the jurisdiction of the office, are of no additional cost to the deceased individual’s immediate family.

What mortuary should I use?

The Office of the Coroner is a government office. Coroner personnel do not refer mortuaries or deter individuals from using any mortuary. Mortuaries can be found on the internet and in the phone book. We encourage you to consult with your family and friends for recommendations. Valuable information regarding funeral services can be found on […]

When will my loved one’s body be released by the Office of the Coroner?

In most circumstances, your loved one’s body is available for release to a mortuary in 2-4 days after his/her death. The Office of the Coroner will NOT release your loved one’s body until the legal next-of-kin has authorized which mortuary to release the body to. An authorization form is signed by the legal next-of-kin at […]

What do I do next?

We recommend that you seek support from family and friends to assist you in getting through this difficult time. If you are the legal next-of-kin to the deceased individual or the executor of his/her estate, you need to begin making final arrangements for your loved one. Once you have selected a mortuary to handle your […]