Information for Funeral Directors

Once the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has concluded its investigation and determined the cause and manner of death, the next of kin or legal representative will be notified. They may then commence arrangements with a licensed funeral director to recover the deceased. The Medical Examiner’s Office can only release the decedent to a licensed funeral director for funeral, burial, or cremation services. 

Families may choose any licensed funeral director in Illinois. The Medical Examiner’s Office does not maintain a list of funeral homes or funeral services and cannot offer suggestions.  

Recovery at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office 

Illinois law mandates that each funeral home must ensure proper documentation such as authorization forms and death certificates are executed prior to the transport of the decedent. In Illinois, a funeral home cannot legally transport a body without a death certificate or necessary legal authorization. 

When recovering a decedent at the Medical Examiner’s Office, you must have both a (1) valid driver’s license and (2) funeral director’s license in good active status pursuant to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. Additionally, a copy of the death certificate and signed Authorization Form executed by the next of kin or legal representative must be provided. 

The Medical Examiner’s Office will require you to complete a Release Record and, if applicable, a Personal Property Release Form.  

Funeral Home Requirements for Unclaimed & Lost Property 

If a funeral home obtains the required authorization, but the family has become unresponsive after recovery from the Medical Examiner’s Office, the funeral home should make reasonable efforts to locate the family or next of kin. The Medical Examiner’s Office is not responsible for any unclaimed bodies outside of its custody. Additionally, the Medical Examiner’s Office is not responsible for personal property after it is released to the licensed funeral director. Currently, the Medical Examiner’s Office is unable to accept cases for storage due to the current and anticipated morgue census.

Assistance with Death Certificates

Under the Cook County Medical Examiner's Ordinance, the Office will not investigate cases of apparent natural death or those deaths where a decedent is under physician care. Instead, the Illinois Vital Records Act makes clear that physicians who are attending or prescribing to a patient are responsible for signing their patient’s death certificate. 

If you have questions or are seeking guidance regarding a physician completing a death certificate, you may contact Leilani Ana-Maria Pino, Senior Legal Counsel, Cook County Medical Examiner's Office Leilani.Pino2@cookcountyil.gov

Cremation Authorization Permits

Under Illinois law, the licensed funeral director is responsible for the cremation process for any death where the remains are to be cremated. In Cook County, a death certificate must be filed with the Cook County Clerk’s Office before a cremation permit will be issued. 

Cremation permits are $150.00. If you are seeking a cremation permit, please visit our portal below. Our online cremation permit services are available 24/7 without interruption, including weekends and holidays.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will accept walk-in requests for Fetal Death Certificates, Hand-Signed Death Certificates, and Donation Dispositions by a licensed funeral director during our business hours Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM through 3:00 PM. 

Please call the Medical Records Department at 312-997-4425 for assistance during our business hours. 

Partnership with the Illinois Funeral Directors Association 

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office woks in partnership with funeral homes to remain transparent. We look forward to seeing you at the next Town Hall. [Information Forthcoming].