Funeral Home Release Hours 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm
Closed State holidays.
When a person dies and is taken to the GCME office, what should the next of kin do?
When a person dies and is taken to the GCME office the legal next of kin should contact a funeral home of their choice and advise the funeral director of the death and that the body was taken to the Medical Examiner's office. The legal next of kin must sign a release form at the funeral home, authorizing the GCME to release the body to the funeral home they have chosen. All personal property to be released will be released to the funeral home and returned to the family by them. The exception to this is property taken by the Police in a criminal investigation.
(Priority Order of Next of Kin) (Texas Health and Safety Code 711.002)
The person designated in a written instrument signed by the decedent.
The decedent's surviving spouse.
Any one of the decedent's surviving adult children.
Either one of the decedent's surviving parents.
Any one of the decedent's surviving adult siblings.
Any adult person in the next degree of kinship in the order named by law to inherit the estate of the decedent.
Can visitors view the body at GCME office?
No. GCME office does not have a viewing facility. Viewing must be done at the funeral home.
Will there be an autopsy?
Not necessarily. Different factors are taken into consideration. The assigned Medical Examiner makes the decision whether to perform an autopsy.
How can next of kin get an autopsy report?
Designated next of kin can request an autopsy report by completing and submitting the information form below. All reports will be mailed to the recipients address provided. Images are only released by subpoena.
Costs/Payment
One free copy is provided to the legal next of kin upon written request. Each additional copy costs $25.00. An additional administrative fee of $50.00 is incurred for production and express mail of images. Make check payable to “UTMB.”
Mail request to: 1205 Oak St. La Marque, TX 77568
Fax request from next of kin to: 409-770-5239.
Information for Request:
Today’s Date
Decedent’s Name
Date of Death
City or County of Death
What You Are Requesting
Requestor’s Name
Requestor’s Relationship to Decedent
Address to Mail Report
How can next of kin get a death certificate?
Death certificates can be obtained from the Department of Vital Statics. The death certificate consists of two parts. The medical portion is filled out by the GCME and the demographic portion is filled out by the funeral home. Once the death certificate is completed and signed the funeral home is responsible for filing it with the department. The GCME only signs death certificates of persons who die in Galveston County.
