Which types of deaths are investigated by the Office of the Coroner?

• All deaths occurring within Kendall County are reported to the Office of the Coroner for review at the time of passing. Depending on the circumstances, the case may be either referred to the decedent's primary care physician for certification or the case may be taken over as a "Coroner Case". In general, deaths which are sudden and unexpected, without prior medical attendance, or unnatural in manner become Coroner Cases.

What happens when a death is determined to be a "Coroner Case"

• Deaths that are determined to be Coroner Cases will be investigated by the Coroner or a Deputy Coroner to determine the cause and manner of death. During the investigation, they may conduct additional interviews by telephone or in-person, request medical records, or perform physical examinations. The investigator may also draw specimens for toxicological examination or order a forensic autopsy, which would require the decedent to be transported to the Kendall County Coroner's Office in Yorkville, Illinois by our staff.

Are forensic autopsies or toxicological examination performed on every Coroner case?

• No.  Autopsies and/or toxicology are performed when necessary to determine the cause of death or to retrieve evidence. The Coroner has set guidelines about which cases should be autopsied or have toxicology drawn.

What is a forensic autopsy?

• A forensic autopsy is a detailed examination of the body both externally and internally to assist with determination of cause of death. All coroner's autopsies are performed at the Kendall County Morgue by board certified Forensic Pathologists and may involve additional testing such as toxicology, histology, radiology, etc. For more information, view the Forensic Autopsies page.

Is consent necessary for an autopsy?

• No. Consent of the next-of-kin is not required for autopsies that the Coroner deems necessary.

Will I be charged for an autopsy?

• If the Office of the Coroner decides that an autopsy is required due to the circumstances surrounding the death, there will be no charge to the family.

If the Coroner does not order an autopsy, can I request one to be performed?

• If an autopsy is not required as part of the official investigation, the family may arrange for an autopsy to be performed by a private pathology service at their own expense. Your funeral director can assist you in this process.

Why are some cases pending?

• In some circumstances, it may not be possible to determine the cause of death at the time of the examination. Additional tests, microscopic examination, or investigation may be required. In such cases, a pending death certificate is issued. When the additional analyses are completed, a final death certificate will be issued.

How long does it take to receive results from toxicology tests?

• Toxicology testing may take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to complete, depending on the number and complexity of the tests.

Do I have to come to the Office of the Coroner to make identification?

• In cases where the victim is unknown, identification may be established by fingerprints, dental records, x-rays or other means. In cases where identification is not required, a family member may request to view the body of their loved one.

Where are the personal effects?

• Many times, the personal effects may be claimed at the Office of the Coroner. Sometimes personal effects are removed by the local police departments. In those cases, it will be necessary to contact the police agency involved to obtain the personal effects.

Where do I get a copy of the death certificate?

• The Office of the Coroner cannot issue copies of certified death certificates. Death certificates must be obtained from your funeral home or the County Clerk where the death occurred. In Kendall County, you may call call 630-553-4104 or visit the Clerk's Vital Records website for more information.

What do I do next?

• The next step for most families is to contact their funeral director to make final arrangements. Funeral directors will arrange to take your loved one into their care from the Office of the Coroner, handle all funeral arrangements and file the death certificates.

How can I get a copy of the autopsy or toxicology report?

• A copy of the autopsy or toxicology report can be made available by contacting the Office of the Coroner at (630) 553-4200.