Private Autopsies
Dr. Arden is licensed and available to perform private autopsies in the states of Delaware, New York, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, either at a permitting hospital, or at the family’s selected funeral home.
When a loved one dies, particularly if there remain strong questions or uncertainty regarding the cause of death, a private autopsy can frequently help bring important closure to families. There are two primary reasons to consider conducting a private autopsy:
- Where there is strong concern that medical intervention may have played a role in causing the death, or if a family is considering a malpractice claim, but the Medical Examiner or hospital refuses to conduct an autopsy, a private autopsy can bring information to light that can corroborate or alleviate these concerns.
- In sudden natural deaths, an autopsy can help uncover previously unknown medical conditions that may be genetic or hereditary, and this knowledge may be important to survivors.
Even in cases where the Medical Examiner or hospital performs the autopsy, Dr. Arden can attend or observe the autopsy at the family’s request. In civil lawsuits, where an autopsy is being performed by one side, in some cases the opposing side may have the right to have an independent observer present at the autopsy.
In cases where an autopsy has already been completed, families may desire that an independent pathologist examine the body prior to burial. Dr. Arden can also perform these services. However, families should consider these types of “second autopsies” very carefully, as there are severe limitations on the procedure, and on whether any information of value can be ascertained after the first autopsy has been completed. Dr. Arden can advise families whether conducting a second autopsy will be an appropriate or fruitful exercise.
Reasons to consider an autopsy
Where there is strong concern that medical intervention may have played a role in causing the death, or if a family is considering a malpractice claim, but the Medical Examiner or hospital refuses to conduct an autopsy, a private autopsy can bring information to light that can corroborate or alleviate these concerns.
In sudden natural deaths, an autopsy can help uncover previously unknown medical conditions that may be genetic or hereditary, and this knowledge may be important to survivors.