Is it true only the next of kin can identify your body?

[Circles]

It's one of the only reasons holding me back right now for some odd reason. Now before someone points out I'll be too dead to care, I still can't get over the guilt of having my mom or anybody else in my family to have to see my corpse. The whole point of killing myself other than inside the house is so I don't traumatize them. Like fuck, is there any way to bypass this? Surely having my license on me would be enough?

 

[lululoo]

Hi Circles. Sorry you have so little holding you back. I'm right there with you.

I don't really know for sure and maybe it varies by jurisdiction. But best I can tell from googling, it doesn't have to be family... it might not even be necessary at all.... if it is necessary, a photo could be shown rather than your body.

 

[mediocre]

I wonder about this but if you're found but a family member surely you don't need to be identified? Unless you are planning to be unrecognisable or found by a stranger.

 

[AcornUnderground]

I do not think it has to be next of kin. I live out of state and have no intention of my family coming here to identify my body.

 

[Quarky00]

Surely having my license on me would be enough?

That's enough for the police, but usually not for the coroner. Identification is mostly by photo (not body), and in most jurisdictions anyone can do that (friend, neighbour, etc).

Police --> Coroner --> Pathologist .. if required --> Inquest (lengthy process of investigation, rare)

Police initially view each death as a crime and if that's not the case the death is then handled by the coroner, who has broader responsibilities and manages the entire affair. If the death is unnatural, sudden or suspicious (as is the case with suicide) the coroner must order a post-mortem, and will ask police to notify relatives or gather more information when necessary. The positions, functions and regulations of a coroner or a medical examiner vary greatly between jurisdictions.

 

[AcornUnderground]

Sigh. I hate death.

 

[LMLN]

In the case of my husband and his suicide, nobody had to identify him. He had his identification in his vehicle, so maybe that was sufficient