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    Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office

    The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office (SMRMEO) performs autopsies and death investigation services for the following counties in Southern Minnesota:

    Counties served

    • Dodge
    • Fillmore
    • Goodhue
    • Houston
    • Mower
    • Olmsted
    • Wabasha
    • Winona

    Our office performs autopsies on behalf of Steele, La Crosse, Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson counties.

    All deaths that are sudden or unexpected or occur from other than natural causes must be reported to the Medical Examiner. Our office is mandated by Minnesota State Statute, 390.11, to investigate these deaths.

    For families

    The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office assists families, law enforcement agencies and the legal system by determining a scientifically unbiased and logical cause and manner of death.

    The information gathered during a death investigation and subsequent autopsy can be critical in civil and criminal court cases. Even when the death is due to natural causes, this information may help surviving family members protect their own health.

    Can a family refuse an autopsy?

    Autopsies are done to answer medical and legal questions in the public interest, either to protect public health or to address a question of law. However, we recognize that your family beliefs may be contrary to autopsy. According to Minnesota state statute 390.11, Subd. 2b, families have the right to refuse an autopsy for religious purposes. Although you may refuse, there are certain circumstances where a compelling state interest will supersede the religious beliefs of your loved one.

    Our office requires a written affidavit to object an autopsy. Contact the Medical Examiner's Office at 507-284-3040 for more information.

    To help you better understand the autopsy process, you can view a Frequently asked questions brochure (PDF).

    Death certificates

    Your funeral home director can facilitate the process of obtaining a copy of the death certificate.

    You also can get certified copies of death certificates from vital records offices in:

    For hospice

    The Medical Examiner's Office is mandated to review all deaths not attended by a physician (Minnesota State Statute 390.11, Subd. 1b). Nursing home residents are exceptions to this rule.  Deaths in nursing homes are all considered physician-attended deaths and do not have to be registered in the system.

    There is a single form for both preregistration and death reporting.

    Note the additional criteria on the form below for more resources on when a death is considered to be under medical examiner jurisdiction. This requires the medical examiner to sign the death certificate.

    For funeral homes

    The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office approves cremation requests electronically through the Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Registration and Certification (MR&C). If the primary care physician signing the death certificate is not registered with the MR&C, please fax the copy of the death certificate to the state of Minnesota for entry into the system. We will promptly review the cremation request online.

    Call 507-284-3040 with any questions about this process.

    Contact information

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