Coroner

Office Phone Number:  570-732-0054

Mark K. Smith
CORONER
Phone: (570) 413-3864  Email: msmith@carboncounty.net                                                                                                                                                                                 


Jason T. Smith
Chief Deputy Coroner
Phone: 484-626-3780  Email: jsmith@carboncounty.net     

                                                                                                      Coroner New Image

According to the Pennsylvania Statutes pertaining to the Office of the Coroner, Section 1218-B; the Coroner must be notified to investigate the circumstances concerning deaths to determine the identification of the deceased, cause and manner of death and whether an autopsy should be conducted. 

Deaths that require Coroner’s investigation are sudden or unexpected, medically unattended, suspicious or violent deaths. The Coroner is also empowered to conduct an inquest and subpoena witnesses in deaths that may have resulted from criminal action or a negligent act. Specifically, the Coroner is called to investigate:

  • Death of unknown cause
  • Death occurring under suspicious circumstances, including alcohol, drugs, etc.
  • Unidentified or unclaimed body
  • Death due to known/suspected contagious disease/constitutes a public hazard
  • Operative and perioperative deaths
  • Death occurring in prison or while in custody of the police
  • Death of persons to be cremated or buried at sea
  • Sudden infant death syndrome and stillbirths

 

Cremation Authorizations

Each death in Carbon County that will result in cremation must have permission from the Coroner. It is the responsibility of the funeral director handling the arrangements to contact this office for a CREMATION Authorization.  Cremation Authorization form can be obtained by contacting the office or by following the link below. 

Cremation Authorizations can be e-mailed to cremationauth@carboncounty.net  There is a $75 fee for each cremation permit, check is to be made out to the Carbon County General Fund


Obtaining Reports                                                                                  

To obtain a copy of the report:  

You must request this in writing by filling out the Report Request Form.  This form can be found by following the link below. 

Per the County Code of PA, the Carbon County Coroner's office charges the following for copies of documents of closed and final cases:

Reports will only be released when cases are finalized and payment has been received. 

Type of Report

Fee

Coroner Report

$100.00

Toxicology Report

$100.00

Autopsy Report

$500.00

Administrative Fee

$35.00


Obtaining Photographs

$10 per Photo on Disk (Must Take All)
$15.00 per Photo 4x6 Printed (Must Take All)

Reports and photographs will only be released on cases that are closed and finalized. Please contact the Deputy at 570-732-0054 with questions or to find out if photographs are available.

Check or money order made payable to: Carbon County General Fund

The Coroner's Office does not release reports of other agencies, third parties, the police, or medical or hospital records.



Forms