Coroner John W. Callahan

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is my loved one being taken?

A: Your loved one may be transported to the Grundy County Coroner’s facility. This laboratory facility is where we will perform a medical examination on the deceased.

Q: Why is the Coroner involved in the death of my loved one?

A: The following is a list of deaths the Coroner is required to investigate

  1. Suspected Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

  2. Physician unable to state cause if death

  3. Known or suspected homicide

  4. Known or suspected suicide

  5. Death involving any criminal action

  6. Related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal action

  7. Following an accident or injury (primary or contributory). Deaths known or suspected as a result in whole or in part from or related to an accident or injury whether old or recent

  8. Drowning, fire, hanging, gunshot, stabbing, exposure, acute alcoholism, drug addiction, strangulation, aspiration or malnutrition

  9. Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents).

  10. Occupational diseases or occupational hazards

  11. All death where patients are under anesthesia

  12. All death of unidentified persons

By far the largest segment of deaths investigated by the Coroner are determined to be natural.

Natural deaths include people who have no attending physician to sign the death certificate. It is also composed of those individuals who die suddenly and unexpectedly, even though a physician has seen them recently. They include individuals who have affected their health by the use of drugs or alcohol.

All deaths of inmates while incarcerated or when the eventual cause of death is found to have originated while the victim was incarcerated are types of deaths that are investigated by the Coroner.

Deaths of individuals who die of disease that might constitute a threat to public health are reviewed.

The Coroner must review deaths of persons whose bodies are to be cremated, buried at sea, transported out of state, or are otherwise unavailable for pathological study.

Deaths of transplant surgery donors that are the result of some type of trauma are reviewed.

Q: Is an autopsy always performed?

A: Not always. If the death is a “Natural Death” and the deceased has a physician who knows the medical cause of death and will furnish the Coroner with acceptable cause, the Coroner will normally not order an autopsy

Q: Why are autopsies performed?

A: There are a number of reasons autopsies are performed. However, the basic reason is to determine the medical cause of death. Another primary reason is to gather evidence for presentation in a court of law.

Q: Is there a charge for these services?

A: No

Q: Can I come see him/her?

A: Seeing your loved one at the funeral home is a more appropriate atmosphere than the morgue. However, exceptions are made to ease the pain of a grieving family, or in some cases it would be for identification purpose.

Q: What about funeral arrangements?

A: Making that initial call to the funeral director is very difficult. If you advise the Coroner’s Office of your preference of funeral home, we will make the call for you. Your funeral director will then coordinate further arrangements with the Grundy County Coroner’s Office and help you begin the preparations for your loved one’s funeral.

Q: Can I contact the Coroner’s Office?

A: Certainly. You may call 815-942-3792 between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday or leave a message on the answering machine. The Coroner's cell phone is 815-405-1210 and that number may be called at anytime. For questions of interest that pertain to forensic death investigations, you may email the coroner at jcallahan@grundyco.org. 

 Coroner Department Links

1320 Union Street | Morris, IL 60450 | Phone (815) 941-3400 | Fax(815) 941-3429 | www.grundyco.org