With preplanning and careful coordination, there should be no delays for typical funeral arrangements. You do not have to tell anyone if you do not wish to. Only on close inspection would anyone know that an autopsy has been performed. Organ donation is usually not possible for those dying of chronic neurological diseases. It is often necessary for the funeral director to arrange transportation of the body to and from the hospital.
Prior arrangements help avoid delays in funeral arrangements.
The brain autopsy should occur within 24 hours after the patient dies. The report will explain the major changes found in the brain and the final diagnoses. It will include whether or not the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was confirmed and whether there were other conditions affecting the brain. The family should receive the report about two to six months after the autopsy occurs. There are several different costs involved in obtaining an autopsy.