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Object to an autopsy

If you are the closest living relative to the deceased, you can request that an autopsy not be performed.

Contacts

Medical legal investigators

Phone

Main office Call Medical legal investigators, Main office at (617) 267-6767 ext 2191

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Phone

Boston Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston at (617) 267-6767
Boston Toll-Free Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston Toll-Free at (800) 962-7877

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Westfield Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Westfield at (413) 538-6213
Westfield Toll-Free Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Westfield Toll-Free at (800) 445-5889

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Cape Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Cape at (508) 539-2200

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The Details

What you need

If you are the closest living family member of the deceased, you can object to an autopsy. Our office will take your objection into account. You should know if an autopsy is not performed, the medical examiner may not learn the cause of death. The medical examiner will make the final decision on whether an autopsy is needed. 

Requests can be made over the phone to our Intake Department.

How to request

Requests are made over the phone to our Intake Department.

  • Call at (617) 267-6767, then press 1.

When placing your call, make sure to include:

  • The name of the deceased
  • Your name
  • Your relationship to the deceased

After placing your call, you will receive an "Opposition to Autopsy" form to review and sign.

You will be notified when the medical examiner makes their decision.

If you have any questions, you should contact a medical legal investigator.

Contact

Address
720 Albany St., Boston, MA 02118
Directions 
Phone
Main office Call Medical legal investigators, Main office at (617) 267-6767 ext 2191
Address
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Headquarters
720 Albany St., Boston , MA 02118
Directions 
Westfield Office
178 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA 01085
Directions 
Cape Office
1 Simpkins Road, Sandwich, MA 02563
Directions 
Phone
Boston Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston at (617) 267-6767
Boston Toll-Free Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston Toll-Free at (800) 962-7877

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Westfield Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Westfield at (413) 538-6213
Westfield Toll-Free Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Westfield Toll-Free at (800) 445-5889

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Cape Call Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Cape at (508) 539-2200

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Fax
Boston Fax (617) 266-6763
Westfield Fax (413) 538-6862
Cape Fax (508) 539-0283

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