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Shelby County Medical Examiner, TN

West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center (Shelby County Medical Examiner, operated by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center). 637 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. Phone 901.222.4600.

Contact details

OfficeWest Tennessee Regional Forensic Center (Shelby County Medical Examiner, operated by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center)
TypeMedical examiner
Address637 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105
Phone901.222.4600
Official pageuthsc.edu

After a death in Shelby County

  • For medical examiner cases with dates of death on or after January 1, 2020, the Center starts and certifies the death certificate in the state system (VRISM); funeral homes no longer start death certificates for these cases.
  • Deaths in hospitals or nursing homes need not be reported unless suspicious, unusual or unexpected. If the family believes a death needs investigation, they should contact the District Attorney's Office or law enforcement.

The medical examiner's role before a cremation

  • Tennessee law (T.C.A. 38-7-108(a)(1)), quoted by the Center, requires anyone who knows of a death where the body is to be cremated to notify the county medical examiner.
  • Tennessee requires the medical examiner's approval for every death in the county for which a cremation permit is requested, wherever the cremation happens.

Tennessee cremation rules, including when a medical examiner must review a cremation

Autopsy and investigation reports

  • Autopsy reports are public record in Tennessee. Copies are available from the Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner, (423) 439-8403, or from the regional forensic center that did the autopsy.

Next steps for the family

Funeral homes and cremation in Tennessee · Death certificates in Tennessee · The first 72 hours · Other offices

Sources

Official pages only, each with the day we read it. Hours and fees change: call first.

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