The Office of the Medical Examiner

The mission of the Office of the Medical Examiner is to promote and maintain the highest professional standards in the field of  death investigation.  The authority of the office is vested in Wisconsin State Statues 59.34 and 979.01.  The Medical Examiner is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected or unusual deaths in order to provide timely, accurate and legally defensible determinations as to the manner and cause of death.  The Office will partner will other community entities in order to enhance public health and safety.  The interests of the deceased, their loved ones and the community will be served without compromise.

The following is a list of deaths that are reportable to the Medical Examiner's Office.

• Homicides and Suicides
• Deaths following accidents, even if the injury is not the cause of death
• Deaths due to poisoning
• Deaths with unexplained, unusual, or suspicious circumstances
• Deaths involving motor vehicles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and boats
• Deaths with no physician or accredited spiritual healer in attendance 30 days preceding death
• When after reasonable efforts, the physician cannot be obtained or will not/cannot sign the death certificate in time or in an emergency situation as determined by the medical examiner
• Deaths which occur at home in which the person was not currently enrolled in an accredited hospice program
• Deaths which occur at home or in the hospital and the person is signed up for an accredited hospice program
• Deaths that occur in the hospital less than 24 hours of admittance

New 2024 Fees

Transportation | $253
Cremation Authorization Permit | $253
Certifying Death Certificate | $95
Disinterment Permit | $95
Body Storage | $60/day
Body Bags | $15

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To download a Racine Cremation Request, please visit the following document: 

Racine Cremation Request

To download a Disinterment Permit, please visit the following document:

Disinterment Permit

For more information on Biohazard Clean Up, please visit the following document:

Biohazard Clean Up

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