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Post by giatocj on Aug 8, 2023 13:05:32 GMT
How long did it take to get a final cause of death?
I lost my husband VERY unexpectedly in the middle of the night on June 7th. As I'm sure you can imagine, it's been an unbelievable nightmare but I have the best friends, family and in-laws so a great support system. We were together 26 years but married for just under 6 years.
An autopsy was performed and organ donations made, but for some reason the medical examiner is telling me a final COD won't be available for 3-5 months. His heart arteries were able to be donated so I don't think it was a heart event (although I honestly don't know), but the not knowing is absolutely killing me. The ME's office did tell me that the life insurance company can request a "No Foul Play" letter but that's not what I care about...I want to know what happened.
I get that there are backlogs and that I'm not the only one going through this. I'm just wondering if this is normal timing. My mom died last January (2022) but she was in hospice so we didn't have to go through this type of procedure.
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Post by allison1954 on Aug 8, 2023 13:11:56 GMT
It was my brother who died at home and bled out.
It took several months.
Unfortunately for those of us left behind, it isn’t like on CSI.
I am sorry for your loss.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 8, 2023 13:16:28 GMT
It took 8 weeks for the autopsy results to be completed and then another week for them to be released to us as the police opened an investigation in Esther's case due to it not being clear what had happened to her. So the police reviewed the results before they could be released to us.
I'm sorry for your loss.
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Post by giatocj on Aug 8, 2023 13:18:23 GMT
Thank you. I don't know what I expected from this process (it was never even a blip on my radar  ) but it wasn't a months long wait. It's so hard to be patient. |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,616
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 8, 2023 13:20:33 GMT
I'm so very, very sorry.
My mom's autopsy probably took 3 or so months.
PLEASE be prepared that when you get the results it will feel like someone ripping duct tape off a festering wound (is that graphic enough?)
I was sent right back into active grief when we got my mom's back (I had kind of hit a stable mourning phase but that was gone when we got the results.)
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Post by KelleeM on Aug 8, 2023 13:20:37 GMT
I’m so sorry for your loss. My late husband died in the hospital 3 days after being diagnosed with cancer of unknown origin. I opted not to have an autopsy because it wouldn’t have benefited anyone. I can’t imagine the horrible pain of not knowing. Hugs.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 8, 2023 13:29:39 GMT
I was sent right back into active grief when we got my mom's back (I had kind of hit a stable mourning phase but that was gone when we got the results.) Yes, it traumatized me all over again. |
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Post by giatocj on Aug 8, 2023 13:41:59 GMT
I'm so very, very sorry. My mom's autopsy probably took 3 or so months. PLEASE be prepared that when you get the results it will feel like someone ripping duct tape off a festering wound (is that graphic enough?) I was sent right back into active grief when we got my mom's back (I had kind of hit a stable mourning phase but that was gone when we got the results.) Thank you. This is my biggest concern. I want to know, but in so many ways I don't want to know. I know it won't change anything and if I'd had a choice I probably would have passed on the autopsy, but because he died at home with no warning the state has rules  . |
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Aug 8, 2023 13:46:38 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss. My father passed suddenly, at 60, at the end of April. The coroner told us that he was very certain that it was a cardiac event secondary to respiratory illness, but offered to do an autopsy if we chose. He told me to expect 3-4 months before we would be contacted with findings. We opted to not have one, I am fairly confident in his original assertions. I hope that you get some answers soon, and that it brings you some kind of peace.
(ETA: I just saw your later post, and I was actually shocked that we were given the choice. I assumed given my dad's age, and the unexpected nature, that it would have been mandatory also.)
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,372
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Aug 8, 2023 14:00:30 GMT
I am very sorry for your loss. Sending you strength as you find your new “normal.”
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,550 
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Post by anniebeth24 on Aug 8, 2023 14:44:10 GMT
Oh my, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your DH. I hope you get the answers soon.
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Post by twinks on Aug 8, 2023 15:21:35 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss.
My brother died in the hospital and they did an autopsy. I know it was several months. The kicker for me was the evening my brother died, I was in the ER with a huge DVT. Two days later I was admitted because of a PE. When we got the results of my brother’s autopsy, he died of a PE.
I know you would like the results because they won’t issue a death certificate until then. It is hard to wait and then it throws you back into the beginning of grieving all over again. It is so final.
We recently (10 days ago) went through a horrible, awful, tragic death in our family. The medical examiner had to identify the remains. The obituary and funeral arrangements could not be made public until the medical examiner made positive identification and released the remains. It took 5 days even though our family member was “identified” that night by the contents of his wallet. I guess in the explosion/fire it was blown clear of the wreckage.
The unknown and waiting is hard. Hugs to you.
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Post by sabrinae on Aug 8, 2023 15:25:33 GMT
First, I’m so sorry. Best wishes as you grieve and try to find a new normal. Unfortunately, the three to four month timeline is pretty typical
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,956
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Aug 8, 2023 15:26:35 GMT
Sorry for the loss of your husband. Prayers for strength in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. May you receive the info soon. {{{Hugs}}}
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Post by katlady on Aug 8, 2023 15:35:00 GMT
I am sorry for your loss!!
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Aug 8, 2023 15:43:28 GMT
I’m so very sorry for your loss. |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,042
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Post by artbabe on Aug 8, 2023 15:55:57 GMT
I am so very, very sorry.
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Post by giatocj on Aug 8, 2023 15:57:40 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss. My brother died in the hospital and they did an autopsy. I know it was several months. The kicker for me was the evening my brother died, I was in the ER with a huge DVT. Two days later I was admitted because of a PE. When we got the results of my brother’s autopsy, he died of a PE. I know you would like the results because they won’t issue a death certificate until then. It is hard to wait and then it throws you back into the beginning of grieving all over again. It is so final. We recently (10 days ago) went through a horrible, awful, tragic death in our family. The medical examiner had to identify the remains. The obituary and funeral arrangements could not be made public until the medical examiner made positive identification and released the remains. It took 5 days even though our family member was “identified” that night by the contents of his wallet. I guess in the explosion/fire it was blown clear of the wreckage. The unknown and waiting is hard. Hugs to you. OH!! That sounds awful. I'm so sorry for such a tragic loss  It sounds like I'm going to have to call on my very low reserve of patience to get through this wait. |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,616
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 8, 2023 15:58:55 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss. My brother died in the hospital and they did an autopsy. I know it was several months. The kicker for me was the evening my brother died, I was in the ER with a huge DVT. Two days later I was admitted because of a PE. When we got the results of my brother’s autopsy, he died of a PE. I know you would like the results because they won’t issue a death certificate until then. It is hard to wait and then it throws you back into the beginning of grieving all over again. It is so final. We recently (10 days ago) went through a horrible, awful, tragic death in our family. The medical examiner had to identify the remains. The obituary and funeral arrangements could not be made public until the medical examiner made positive identification and released the remains. It took 5 days even though our family member was “identified” that night by the contents of his wallet. I guess in the explosion/fire it was blown clear of the wreckage. The unknown and waiting is hard. Hugs to you. OH!! That sounds awful. I'm so sorry for such a tragic loss It sounds like I'm going to have to call on my very low reserve of patience to get through this wait. Hopefully it'll just be a few more weeks.  |
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Post by jackietex on Aug 8, 2023 16:04:40 GMT
No wisdom to share, but I wanted to say how sorry I am that you, really all of you lovely ladies, have had your suffering worsened by bureaucracy. Genuinely, huge long distance hugs to all of you.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,636
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Post by valincal on Aug 8, 2023 16:05:18 GMT
I’m so sorry for your loss. 😔
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Post by malibou on Aug 8, 2023 17:15:11 GMT
I'm so very sorry for your loss. May the happy memories of your life together see you thru the tougher days.
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Post by auntkelly on Aug 8, 2023 17:30:56 GMT
I'm so sorry.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,792
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Aug 8, 2023 17:40:31 GMT
I am so sorry for you loss.
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Post by quinlove on Aug 8, 2023 17:48:55 GMT
I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending love to you. ❤️
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Post by piebaker on Aug 8, 2023 17:53:56 GMT
I am sorry for your loss. My condolences.
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TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 2,811
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Post by TXMary on Aug 8, 2023 18:04:00 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss. I don't really have any experience in waiting for autopsy results/COD. My dad died very suddenly and unexpectedly in 1993 at the age of 64. We chose not to have an autopsy done. It was clearly some type of cardiac event and that's what is on his death certificate I assume. I actually have never seen it. My heart breaks for you. Sudden and unexpected death is so hard on the loved ones left behind. Please be gentle and kind to yourself in the coming days. I'm sending you hugs and prayers.
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,423
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Post by tanya2 on Aug 8, 2023 18:11:14 GMT
I am so very sorry for your loss!
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Post by littlemama on Aug 8, 2023 18:14:56 GMT
It took approximately 13 weeks to get a cause of death for my FIL. The autopsy was inconclusive, so they had to wait for toxicology. It ended up being Coronary Artery Disease. We were relieved to have an answer because people in his small town decided to spread the rumor that he had died by suicide. Im sure people still think that.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,883
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Aug 8, 2023 18:53:54 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Not knowing the cause must be so difficult. I have heard that it can take months to get autopsy results back.
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) but it wasn't a months long wait. It's so hard to be patient.
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