The family claiming the body should contact a funeral home of their choice. The funeral home will contact this office and make arrangements for the body to be picked up. Usually the body is available for release within a day of the death, however, the body may remain at Middlesex County Medical Examiner's Office while the family is completing their arrangements. There is no pressure on the family to have a body removed. Families who wish to have the funeral and burial in another state should contact their funeral director of choice in that state.
Most funeral directors have professional connections with funeral directors here in New Jersey.
In New Jersey, a person's doctor does not sign a death certificate if the death falls under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner or if he is not treating the patient for the natural disease that caused the patient's death. Investigations, are performed by trained Medicolegal Investigators under the supervision of medical doctors with specialized training in pathology and forensic pathology. There is no charge to the family for these services. The Medical Examiner assumes charge of the body, may review past medical history, may speak to the family about the deceased and may retain items related to the death or give these items to law enforcement. Any valuables that accompany the body to the Medical Examiner's Office are usually handed over to the funeral home, or may be returned to the family.