Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Coe and the Livingston Parish Coroner's Office extend their deepest sympathy to you during this difficult time. We hope that the information contained herein will assist you by providing answers to commonly asked questions.
Q: WHERE WILL MY RELATIVE OR FRIEND BE TAKEN?
A: They will be taken to the Forensic Center under custody of the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office. If an autopsy is not to be performed, they will be taken to the Livingston Parish Coroner's Morgue or released directly to the funeral home of family's choice
Q: IS IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO COME TO THE FORENSIC CENTER TO IDENTIFY THE BODY?
A: No. Should it become necessary for you to come in or supply us with other records or x-rays, you will be contacted.
Q: IS VIEWING ALLOWED?
A: No. The Coroner’s office does not allow viewing. Arrangements can be made at the funeral home of your choice for viewing.
Q: WHY IS THE CORONER INVOLVED?
A:State law requires the Coroner to be notified in certain circumstances. The Coroner then inquires into and determines the circumstances, manner and cause of all sudden, violent or unusual deaths and those deaths where a doctor is not in attendance, or is present but unwilling to sign the death certificate. Occasionally, more extensive testing and investigation is required, in which case a pending death certificate is signed which will allow final disposition to take place.
Q: WILL AN AUTOPSY BE PERFORMED?
A: When there is an additional need to establish the cause and manner of death, the Coroner has a Pathologist perform an autopsy. The next of kin will be notified if an autopsy is necessary. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis. An autopsy is mandated by law on all infant deaths.
Q: WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO HAVE AN OPEN CASKET SERVICE IF AN AUTOPSY IS PERFORMED?
A: Yes. Autopsies will not interfere with the viewing of the deceased.
Q: WHAT IS AN AUTOPSY?
A: An autopsy is a postmortem examination of a body to determine the cause and manner of death and to document any injury, disease or abnormality present.
Q: WHAT IS CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH?
A: The CAUSE of death is the disease or injury responsible for initiating the train of events, brief or prolonged, that produced the fatal end result. The MANNER of death is the fashion in which the CAUSE of death came into being. It can be one of only five designations: natural, suicide, homicide, accident or undetermined.
Q: CAN THE TIME OF AN UNATTENDED DEATH BE DETERMINED WITH CERTAINTY?
A: No. In spite of much research, an exact time of death cannot be determined. An estimate can be made based on a number of physical factors, but the exact time cannot be determined.
Q: WHAT ABOUT ORGAN DONATION?
A: Depending upon the circumstances of the death, the approval of the Coroner and the consent of the next-of-kin, tissue or organ donation may be possible to help others. You may contact the LOUISIANA ORGAN PROCUREMENT AGENCY for tissue or organ donation at 1-800-833-3666.
Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE BEFORE MY RELATIVE OR FRIEND IS RELEASED FROM YOUR OFFICE?
A: Generally the investigation and autopsy, if needed, should be done within 72 hours. Your funeral director will coordinate the release on your behalf or you may contact the office during normal business hours to obtain information of the status of your case.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
A: Within 48 hours you need to select a funeral home of your choice and make arrangements to meet with them. Inform the funeral director that the death is being handled by the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office and ask them to notify us.
Q: WILL AN AUTOPSY REPORT BE AVAILABLE?
A:Yes. You may call the office during normal business hours and obtain information as to when a report should be ready. You will also be required to send a short, written and signed request for that report.
Q: WILL I BE CHARGED FOR CORONER SERVICES?
A: Normally not; however, there are exceptions. If these conditions exist you will be notified by this office.
Q: WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A DEATH CERTIFICATE?
A: After certification by the Coroner, death certificates can be obtained through your funeral home.
Q: WILL THE CORONER MAKE THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS?
A: No. Our office does not select funeral homes, make arrangements or supply a list of funeral homes. You can use the phone directory to locate these phone numbers.
Q: WHAT PAPER WORK DOES THE CORONER NEED TO AUTHORIZE A FUNERAL HOME TO CREMATE?
A: Request for cremation form must be completed and signed in accordance with LA. R.S. 37:877.
Q: MY RELATIVE OR FRIEND WAS IN THE MILITARY. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION?
A: Persons who have served in the Armed Forces, were honorably discharged, and met other service requirements may be entitled to some Veteran’s benefits. Your funeral director will have this information.
Q: HOW AND WHEN CAN PERSONAL POSSESSIONS BE CLAIMED?
A: Please contact the Coroner’s Office during normal business hours for further information.
Q: I NEED TO ENTER MY RELATIVE’S OR FRIEND’S RESIDENCE, BUT IT IS SEALED. WHAT CAN I DO?
A: In order to enter you need to obtain permission from the Law Enforcement agency involved:
- Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office: 225.686.2241
- Denham Springs Police: 225.665.5106
- Walker Police: 225.664.3125
- Albany Police: 225.567.2115
- French Settlement Police: 225.698.6107/li>
- Springfield Police: 225.294.2205
- Town of Livingston Police: 225.686.7153
- Killian Police: 225.695.6785
- Port Vincent Police: 225.698.6115
- Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office: 225.686.3980
20355 Government Blvd. Suite C
- Livingston, LA 70754
Office Hours: Monday -Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Closed Friday
