Order Documents

Preliminary Report
A preliminary report is a short one-page document that is released to the legal next of kin, law enforcement, or other official entity that requires proof of death only. This report is only given to officials who require proof of death.

Toxicology Report & Autopsy Report
Toxicology and Autopsy reports are detailed reports that describe injuries, trauma, diseases, drugs, and other substances that were discovered during the autopsy process. This level of detail is only available to the legal Next of Kin or law enforcement or by a Court Subpoena.

These forms will be sent upon request.

Disclaimer:
Only persons who are legal next of kin or persons with a court order or subpoena may obtain these records. Proof of identity with Photo Identification is required.  FOIA request doesn’t apply to decedents, death records, cause of death, or manner of death. 

BRTs:
RCCO will automatically fax a BRT, Burial Removal Transfer Permit, to the funeral home when a hospice or nursing home death is reported to our office. BRTs for weekend deaths will be sent as soon as possible Monday morning. The hard copy of the BRT will also be mailed.

Death Certificates:
If the Richland County Coroner’s Office is going to be the medical certifier, you may designate to the Coroner’s Office on the DHEC WebDeath System.

Cremation Permits:

All cremation requests must be submitted online*. Our office must receive an attached copy of the signed death certificate, BRT, and the signed authorization to cremate. You will receive the Cremation Permit by return email only. There is a $20 fee for cremation permits; our office will send an invoice for payment.

*You may fax these documents to 803 576.1786 if submitting your request online is not an option.

Administrative Fee: $35 per hour (minimum of one hour).

*Disclaimer: These fees do not apply to legal next of kin or law enforcement agencies