A ‘post-mortem’ is a medical examination carried out by a pathologist to help confirm how the person died.
This can be a confronting and emotional part of the process. It may feel invasive or difficult to accept, especially in the early days of grief. Please know that you’re allowed to ask questions, request support, and voice your wishes throughout.
While the person's body is held in the mortuary, you can request to spend time with them. To request a viewing or stay near the body, contact the duty coroner's office. Cultural and spiritual considerations will be taken into account by the coroner when making their decision.
What happens during a post-mortem
The pathologist may need to take body tissue samples as part of their examination. If this happens:
- You will be informed about which samples were taken
- You’ll be told whether testing will destroy any of those samples
- You’ll also be told how to request the return of any remaining tissue.
If you choose to have tissue returned, you’ll be supported to decide what step feels right to take next – such as holding a burial, cremation, or another culturally or spiritually meaningful process.
Whānau rights around post-mortems
In some cases, you may wish to object to the post-mortem, or request that it be limited in scope. For example:
- Asking for no examination of the head
- Requesting that no body parts be removed
- Asking for an external examination only.
If you would like to object, it's important to act quickly.
You must let the duty coroner’s office know as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of being notified of the decision to go ahead with the post-mortem. Call 0800 266 800 to raise your objection.
If the coroner decides to proceed with the post-mortem despite your objection, they are legally required to inform you. At that point, your whānau has 48 hours to take the objection to the High Court, where it will be treated as urgent. You’ll need a lawyer to do this, but legal aid is available. You can read more about this process on the Coronial Services website.
This process can be distressing – emotionally, spiritually and culturally. Please don’t hesitate to ask for support from Huarahi Ora, kaumātua, or an iwi liaison officer if that would help uphold your tikanga and wairua during this time.
Receiving the post-mortem report
Immediate whānau will receive the results of the post-mortem and can request a free copy of the full report. This report is usually sent within a few weeks or months of the death. It’s okay to ask for support and to approach this step in a way that feels manageable for you.
Here’s what you might like to keep in mind:
Staying informed
You can ask the coronial liaison or case manager to let you know when the post-mortem report will be sent. This gives you time to emotionally prepare and decide how you'd like to receive it.
Understanding what the report includes
It’s important to know that the post-mortem report does not explain why the person died – it focuses on how they died, from a medical perspective.
The report may contain clinical language or details that are difficult to read. You might find it helpful to go through it with a trusted support person, GP, or someone who can explain any medical terminology.
Choosing what to do with the report
Take time to decide how you'd like to store or manage the report. Some people choose to:
- Keep it outside the home (e.g. with a lawyer or trusted friend)
- Store it securely at home
- Destroy it or dispose of it
There is no pressure to read the report straight away, or at all, if it feels too painful. Go gently, and only when you're ready.