INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
Coroner's Office
The Coroner's Office operates as a separate budget unit but is aligned under the Sheriff's Office Detective/Investigation Division. The Coroner's Office investigates all deaths falling under the guidelines of the California State Government Code. The majority of deaths are investigated by Patrol Deputies; however, complicated investigations are handled by Coroner Staff.
Coroner Reports are available to the public. Send your request to:
San Joaquin County Sheriff's
Attn: Coroner's Division
7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd.
French Camp, CA 95231
Please enclose a check or money order for $25.00 and a self addressed, stamped envelope, with $2.50 postage.
To better respond to your request, include: Decedents full name, Date of death (estimate if you don't know the exact date) and your contact information, in case we need more information.
One free copy is provided to immediate next of kin upon request.
Mission Statement FAQs Indigent Cremation Scene Clean Up
Suggestions for Making Funeral Arrangements Funeral Home/Mortuary Listing for San Joaquin County
Important Reference Numbers Annual Report of the Coroner
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM Weekends and Holidays: Reduced Hours
For Specific Coroner Questions
Phone: (209) 468-4300 Email: mreynolds@sjgov.org
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office is to serve and protect the interests of the community by determining the cause, circumstances and manner of sudden or unexplained deaths that occur within our jurisdiction. We identify the deceased and notify their next-of-kin, regardless of where in the world they may live, while insuring that the deceased and their property are treated with the utmost respect and dignity. We accomplish our mission through the use of pathologists, consultants, and other methods of inquiry. We serve as an independent finder of fact in a manner as prescribed by law.
FAQ’s
What does the Coroner’s Office do?
The San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office is
the agency responsible for investigating about one-half of all the deaths in the county. The office performs medico-legal investigations for legal and public health purposes under authority of state laws. By far, the largest percentage of deaths in the county are natural deaths. Just because the Coroner investigates a death does not mean there is a belief that a crime has been committed. Part of the Coroner’s legal responsibility is to positively identify the deceased, to notify the next-of-kin or legal representative, and to protect the estate of the deceased until it can be turned over to the legal heirs.
Why are Coroner Investigators in a Sheriff’s Office uniform?
In San Joaquin County, as in most counties in the state, the sheriff is also the Coroner, therefore, responsible for investigating both criminal and coroner matters.
Why has the body been taken away?
There are many reasons why a loved one will be taken to the Coroner’s Office: a private physician cannot sign the death
certificate; the deceased did not have a physician or it has been too long since the last visit; the death was possibly due to accident, suicide, homicide or an unknown cause, or the person died alone.
Where will my relative/friend be taken?
He/she will be taken to the Coroner’s facility located within the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Complex in French Camp.
What about personal property?
The Coroner’s Investigator may have to take personal property until it can be released to the legal next-of-kin or representative. Medication and other evidence may be taken that will be examined during the investigation. Probate laws are clear who has a right to a person’s estate. Absent a will or durable power of attorney, the line of succession is spouse, child, parent, and then sibling. Evidence other than medication will be returned at the conclusion of the investigation. Personal property may be picked up from the Coroner’s Office during normal business hours.
Is viewing allowed?
No.
The Coroner’s Office does not have the capability to allow for viewing of the body. Family should make arrangements with a funeral home or mortuary for viewing at their facility.
Will an autopsy be performed?
It is the legal duty of the Coroner to determine the cause of death. Autopsies are not always necessary. The Coroner’s Pathologist will make a determination after a review of all supporting records whether an autopsy is needed to establish the cause of death. It is not something that can be determined by the Deputy Coroner at the scene.
How long will my relative/friend be at the Coroner’s Office?
Typically, a body is ready for release to a funeral home within 48 hours. The funeral home or mortuary of your choice will coordinate the release on your behalf.
Is there a fee for Coroner Services?
By County Ordinance, the Coroner must charge a removal fee of $352 for all persons brought to the Coroner’s Facility. There are no additional costs charged by the Coroner. Fees can be paid to the funeral home or mortuary of your choice, which will pay the bill to the Coroner’s Office. Removal fees are waived for homicide victims and children 13 years and under.
How do I get a Death Certificate?
Some investigations can be completed in a matter of a few days. Others may take several weeks to complete, because of detailed laboratory testing which cannot be rushed if an accurate cause of death is to be determined. In those instances, a “pending" death certificate is issued so as not to interfere with funeral arrangements, then amended when a cause of death is known. The funeral home or mortuary of your choice can assist you with getting certified copies of death certificates.
How can I get a copy of the Coroner Report?
A complete Coroner Report includes the scene investigation prepared by the deputy, the autopsy report prepared by the pathologist, and the toxicology report prepared by the laboratory. Once the case is completed, it is ready to be released, typically about 90 days after death.
Coroner Reports are Contact Us. One free copy is provided to the immediate next-of-kin. Additional reports are $25 each.
INDIGENT CREMATION
California State law requires blood relatives to provide for a proper disposition for the remains of the deceased (Health and Safety Code Sections 7100 & 7103). Failure to act in a timely manner is a criminal misdemeanor and could also result in the next of kin being required to pay civil penalties equal to three times the cost of disposition.
Residents of San Joaquin County may be eligible for assistance with final arrangements of a loved one. For those who qualify, the County provides only a direct cremation. There are no provisions for services, viewing or burial. The ashes are made available to the family at an additional cost.
If you feel you might qualify for this service, call the Coroner’s Office for more information. You will be asked to come to the office, answer some basic financial questions, provide documentation, and sign
authorization papers.
SCENE CLEAN UP
After a death, there may be a need to either clean or dispose of contaminated clothing, furniture, carpeting, or other personal belongings. The Coroner’s Office does not provide these services. Due to the specialized training required for such cleaning, California Health & Safety Code Section 117778 requires businesses to register with the California State Department of Health Services.
We suggest you call one of the following agency for clean up information:
AAA Bio-Hazard Removal (800) 818-6493
Aftermath, Inc. (866) 942-6583
Amdecon (888) 872-0911
Bio Safety Clean (866) 587-1020
CA State Dept. Health Svc. (800) 366-9923
Clean Site (888) 498-7635
Crime Scene Cleaners (800) 357-6731
Crime Scene Sterni-Clean (800) 577-7206
Private Providers (916) 799-2422
Servepro (209) 477-3090
Stormie Janitorial Service (209) 518-8084
Steri-Clean (888) 577-7206
SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
If there is no pre-need agreement with a funeral home, final arrangements must be made. You may make these arrangements with any funeral home or mortuary. You
may find it helpful to decide on the type of service and disposition the family would prefer prior to calling as it makes it easier to gather and compare information.
As a service, we have provided a listing of the funeral homes and mortuaries in San Joaquin County, but you need not choose from this list. The Coroner’s Office does not endorse or recommend any of the businesses on this list, and suggests you compare before making a final decision. If you choose to use one of these companies, you do so at your own risk.
FUNERAL HOME/MORTUARY LISTINGS FOR SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
209-938-0673 Bay Area Cremation and Funeral Services, Stockton
209-467-1177 Cano Funeral Home, Stockton
209-942-2500 Casa Bonita Funeral Home, Stockton
209-465-0265 Chapel of the Palms, Stockton
209-944-9898 Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, Lodi
209-565-5279 Colonial Rose Chapel and Cremation, Stockton
209-465-3500 Cunningham Funeral Services, Stockton
209-838-7321 Deegan Funeral Chapel, Escalon
209-599-3413 Deegan’s Ripon Memorial Chapel, Ripon
209-466-8075 De Young Memorial
Chapel, Stockton
209-472-0335 De Young Shoreline Chapel, Stockton
209-368-2444 Donahue Funeral Home, Lodi
209-464-4711 Frisbie Warren & Carroll Mortuary, Stockton
209-836-1970 Fry Memorial Chapel, Tracy
209-835-4072 Hotchkiss Mortuary, Inc., Tracy
209-948-9750 Jesse E. Cooley Funeral Services, Stockton
209-369-3564 Lodi Funeral Home, Lodi
209-955-4090 Neptune Society of Northern California, Stockton
209-982-1611 Park View Memorial Funeral Chapel, Manteca
209-239-1242 P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, Manteca
209-368-5128 Rocha’s Mortuary, Lodi
209-366-2425 Valley Funeral Home, Lodi
209-462-9272 Zapata Funeral Home, Stockton
IMPORTANT REFERENCE NUMBERS
209-468-8686 Crisis Help Line
209-468-3400 Vital Statistics - Death Certificates less than 1 year
209-468-3939 Recorder - Death Certificates more than 1 year
209-468-2304 Public Health - Fetal
Infant Mortality Information
209-468-3892 Public Health - SIDS Information
209-468-2500 District Atty. - Victim Assistance
209-468-2916 Service Office - Veteran’s Services
209-468-8686 Mental Health - Crisis Help Line
209-468-3740 Mental Health - Public Guardian Conservator
209-468-5533 Sheriff-Coroner - Public Administrator Public
209-468-3640 Victim Assistance (Compensation)
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER
The Annual Report of the Office of Coroner, which contains statistical data, lists the activities of the Coroner's Office and offers a full disclosure of the cases and medical inquiries into the cause of death of any coroner case within San Joaquin County. This report requires Acrobat Reader.
2015
2014
2013 2012 2011
2010 2009 2008
2007 2006 2005
