The Information below is intended for use by those who have questions about the Coroner's Office. 

  Trumbull County Coroner's Office

1863 East Market Street Warren, Ohio 44483

(330) 675-2516   FAX (330) 675-2395

  Dr. T. Soboslay

Trumbull County Coroner

Dr. H. Germaniuk

Forensic Pathologist

S. Mazanetz, R.N.

Chief Investigator

K. Meszaros, R.N.

R. Bluedorn, R.N.

T. Clement, R.N.

Forensic Investigators

This information is brought to you on behalf of the Office of the Trumbull County Coroner. Reprinted with permission.

INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

On behalf of Dr. Soboslay and the staff of the Trumbull County Coroner’s Office may we offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time.

To assist you, it is our hope that the information contained in this pamphlet will provide answers to some of the questions and concerns you might have.

Q. Why is the Coroner’s Office involved?

Ohio Law requires the County Coroner to investigate the circumstances and determine the cause and manner of death of all deaths that are:

-        Sudden, when a person is in apparent good health;

-        Not under the care of a physician;

-        Suspicious, unusual or unexplained;

-        The result of violence;

-        Unlawful or due to criminal neglect.

Q. Will an autopsy be performed?

Autopsies are routinely performed to determine the cause and manner of death on all cases listed above. Autopsies are not routinely performed in cases where there is significant medical history, the death appears to be from natural causes or there is no evidence of foul play.

Q. Can I refuse an autopsy?

In situations where the death appears to be the result of  natural causes, there is no evidence of foul play nor is there evidence to support that the death is anything other than due to natural causes, one can decline an autopsy. If you decide not to have a postmortem examination, you must sign a form which states you will accept the Coroner’s final ruling on the cause an manner of death. If you choose to do so, however, the exact cause of death may never be known and may be listed as undetermined on the death certificate. This may be important as far as insurance is concerned or where there may be an undetected disease process which may have an impact on other family members. If there are doubts, please talk it over with other family members before a final joint decision is reached.

In cases where the actual cause of death in unclear or due to unusual circumstances, such as homicide, suicide or where concerns of foul play are raised either by others or law enforcement personnel, an autopsy can be ordered, by law, by the Coroner.

Q. Will I still be able to have an open casket service if an autopsy is performed?

YES – Autopsies are performed in a professional manner that does not interfere with the viewing of the deceased in a normal manner.

Q. Do I have to pay for an autopsy to be done?

NO – There is no charge to the family for autopsies performed under the Coroner’s jurisdiction.

Q. Where will my relative/friend be taken?

Your loved one will be taken to Trumbull Memorial Hospital Located at 1350 East Market Street in Warren, Ohio. They will remain there until the forensic examination of the body is complete. Upon completion, the deceased will be released by the Trumbull County Coroner’s Office to the funeral home selected by the next of kin. Investigation may continue after the release of the body to the funeral home.

Q. How long will it take before my loved one is released from the Coroner’s Jurisdiction?

Depending on what time of day the Coroner’s office is notified and takes jurisdiction, the medical information available to the Coroner at that time and the circumstances surrounding the death, the body may be released the same day or later on the next day. In cases of suspicious deaths or deaths that require further investigation, your loved one’s remains may be held for additional time.

Q. Is it necessary for me to come to Trumbull Memorial Hospital to view the body?

NO – In the majority of cases, visual identification at the hospital is not required. If visual identification is required, you will be notified by the Coroner’s office.

Q. Why are tubes and other medical devices left in place on the body?

Part of the autopsy is to investigate the proper application of therapeutic devices. Blood, soil and other material may sometimes not be allowed to be washed off as it may hinder the investigation.

Q. Is viewing or visitation allowed while the body is under the Coroner’s jurisdiction?

The Coroner’s office and the hospital facility are not designed to handle bereaved families. Only in rare instances is viewing of the remains allowed on a limited basis. Arrangements for viewing should be made with your funeral director.

Q. Who contacts the funeral home?

Once you have selected a funeral home, please let them know that the body is under the jurisdiction of the Coroner. Once a funeral home is selected, you must call the Coroner’s office as soon as possible to inform them of your choice. The Coroner’s office will then contact the funeral home when the body is ready for release.

Q.  How do I obtain a certified copy of the death certificate?

The Coroner’s office does not issue copies of the death certificate. Copies can be requested from the funeral home when arrangements are made. As a courtesy to the family, funeral homes offer to obtain the certificates from the Health Department. The Health Department charges a fee for each copy obtained and any additional copies may be obtained directly from them. (Editor’s Note – As of  July 1, 2003 the State of Ohio charges $15.00 for a certified copy of the death certificate.)

Q. When will the autopsy report be ready and how do I obtain a copy?

Autopsy reports are generally available about one month from the date of death. The results of Toxicology and other studies can take longer. One copy of the autopsy report is available at no charge to the immediate next of kin only. Immediate next of kin means one of the following in this order: spouse, adult child, parent, brother/sister, niece/nephew. Please submit your request in writing to the Trumbull County Coroner’s Office.

Q. What does “Pending” mean on a death certificate?

Occasionally additional information, more extensive testing or further studies are required in order to accurately determine a cause and manner of death. A death certificate with “pending” as the cause of death still allows your family to make immediate funeral arrangements. An amended or final death certificate will be issued upon completion of the investigation and you will be notified when the final death certificate is ready.

Q. What should I do now?

As soon as possible a funeral home must be selected to handle funeral arrangements for the deceased. When you contact the funeral director, advise them that the deceased is under the Coroner’s jurisdiction. The funeral director will, in turn, contact our office and make arrangements to pick up your loved one.

The Coroner’s office has someone on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have any questions or if we can assist you, please call (330) 675-2518.

TRUMBULL COUNTY SUPPORT NUMBERS

SIDS FOUNDATION……………...............1-800-477-7437

Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission ….......... 330-675-2585 or 330-675-2586

Deaths within Trumbull County

Warren City Health Department …..................330-841-2541

Deaths at Northside Hospital

Youngstown City Health Department ..............330-743-3333   Ext. 222

Deaths within Girard City

Girard City Health Department …....................330-545-6048

Victims of Crimes …………………................330-675-2551

Parents of Murdered Children (P.O.M.C.) …..330-394-3523

Suicide Support Group