The family has a right to request an independent autopsy.

While many people think autopsies are performed solely by the hospital, medical examiner or coroner, this is not the case. Autopsy Center is an independent, confidential service working directly with the family to provide autopsy service for their loved one.

Sometimes a family’s starting point is more clinical or technical. Families often have direct questions such as these:

“What was the correct diagnosis?”

“What was the cause of death?”

“Was there a problem with the surgery?”

Sometimes questions are more related to feelings of grief. We are also skilled at addressing questions such as:

“Did my loved one suffer?”

“Could I have helped?”

“Did I do the right thing?”

In either case, we combine our technical expertise with our understanding of the family’s emotional needs. We work with the family to put the medical information into a context that makes emotional sense. We help the family interpret, understand, and own the medical information. Our families tell us, over and over again, that they feel at peace.
 

We understand that the bereavement period raises many questions – big and little – about a loss; and that families have the right to ask them all.

If you have questions about the loss of a family member and are looking for peace of mind, please call us at 1-855-8-AUTOPSY.

*The order of legal next of kin in Illinois is spouse, adult child, parent, sibling.