Death cases are referred to your Coroners Office if they are experienced outside a hospital. The Coroner is notified and calls to ask if a private physician will certify the death and interview a family member or care taker to verify no foul play exists. The Coroner or his Investigators ask for basic information for a burial removal transit permit which is required by law 17-5-580.

Death cases are reported to the Coroner if they die in a medical facility within 24 hours of admission or invasive surgical procedure as required by S.C. law 17-5-530. A basic inquiry is performed. Based on information, the inquiry may end or it may progress to a full case.

Cremation permits are issued upon request of the funeral director by the Coroner as provided in statute 32-8-325 and 32-8-340. A mandatory 24 hour waiting period is required from the time of death before a decedent may be cremated.

Coroner investigations may be very involved and complex. Autopsies and toxicology tests along with other analysis required take more time than TV shows portray. The designated family member is free to call and get status updates.

Death Certificates are not issued from the Coroner’s Office. They are forwarded to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Funeral homes may pick them up in Spartanburg or you may retrieve them. The address is 151 East Wood Street. Phone 864-596-3320.

Child Fatalities require a complete investigation as a requirement of S.C. 17-5-540 and 63-11-1940 unless evidence exists of a pre-existing terminal condition.  

• Performs independent investigations into violent, suspicious deaths, deaths that occur outside of hospitals and deaths that occur suddenly or unexpectedly.
• Notifies families when unexpected deaths occur, such as in traffic fatalities or homicides.
• Makes positive legal identification of individuals who have died.
• Creates reports related to deaths investigated by the Coroner's Office.
• Issues burial transit permits for individuals who have died outside of the hospital.
• Provides autopsy and Coroner's reports to agencies and next of kin.
• Makes the final determination as to the manner of death.
• Releases personal belongings to the next of kin with probate court orders.
• Act as the central depository for all records relative to a death, including the Pathologist Report, police investigative reports and any other investigative agencies' reports. 
• Maintains the County Coroner's Book of Inquisitions. 
• Issues cremation permits.