Medical examiners sometimes change the way they do an autopsy out of respect for the family's beliefs. But states still require one when it's needed to investigate a crime or head off a threat to public health. Most examinations shouldn't delay a funeral or prevent a viewing of the body during a service.

Is a post-mortem required?

If someone related to you has died and their death has been referred to a coroner, you won't be asked to give consent (permission) for a post-mortem to take place. This is because the coroner is required by law to carry out a post-mortem when a death is suspicious, sudden or unnatural.

Can I refuse a post-mortem?

If a post mortem is requested by the hospital, written consent must first be obtained either directly from the patient before death, or from the deceased's next of kin. The patient or the next of kin can refuse consent for a hospital post mortem and it cannot be carried out if consent is withheld.