What to Do After Somebody Dies

Report the Death

For persons in hospice care - Report the death directly the hospice facility.

For persons not in hospice care - Report the death local law enforcement at 503-823-3333 (non-emergency). Law enforcement (or other first responders) will report the death to the Medical Examiner’s Office and we will initiate an investigation.

Our investigators may respond to the scene, or they may confer with the State Medical Examiner’s Office and release jurisdiction directly to a funeral home.

Make Final Arrangements

Find funeral homes and services

Once you have selected a funeral home, contact the Medical Examiner's Office to tell us their contact information. It is important to do this as soon as possible so we can arrange transportation to the appropriate facility.

We are unable to recommend a funeral service.

Pick up Personal Property

The legal next of kin or funeral home may pick up personal property that's not being held as evidence from our office. Call 503-988-0055 to schedule an appointment.

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Get a Death Certificate

The Medical Examiner's Office does not provide death certificates. For cases we handle, the funeral home will file all the necessary paperwork and provide the family with the official death certificate. For questions about cost, distribution, etc., ask your funeral home.

How long will it take? It may take 12-16 weeks or longer to get a death certificate if the exact cause and manner of death cannot be immediately determined. Special laboratory tests or further investigation may be necessary.

Replace a damaged or lost death certificate: