The Coroner is largely involved in public safety and serves as protector of the people. The Coroner has the same powers as the Sheriff. Should the Office of the Sheriff become vacant, the Coroner performs all the duties as required by law to be performed by the Sheriff, and retains those powers until another Sheriff is appointed or elected.
The Coroner investigates all deaths where the decedent was not attended by a licensed physician for whatever cause, and is responsible for determining the manner and cause of each death to decide if an inquest is necessary. The Coroner prepares and conducts inquests. If the circumstances concerning the death are suspicious, obscure or mysterious the Coroner will determine the need for an autopsy.
The Coroner issues Coroner’s death certificates and cremation permits and also maintains records of all deaths in the County for which an inquest is held.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Greene County Coroner’s Office is to provide independent and professional medicolegal death investigations as neutral experts utilizing investigative best practices and advanced forensic science while ensuring the highest level of compassion, dignity, and respect for the deceased and their family.
Cremation Permits (Funeral Directors Only):
Illinois law requires all funeral directors to obtain a Medical Examiner’s/Coroner’s Permit to Cremate a Dead Body (VR204.1), from the coroner in the county where the death occurred, prior to cremating the decedent.
The process for obtaining a cremation permit under Illinois law serves as a checks and balances to insure decedents are not cremated prior to the Medical Examiner/Coroner having an opportunity to investigate each death and determine if an autopsy is required, to determine a cause and manner of death, and/or collect evidence relevant to a coroner’s investigation.
No dead body may be cremated within twenty-four hours after death excluding public health emergencies and certain religious customs requiring a waiver of the waiting period by the coroner.
A Medical Examiner’s/Coroner’s Permit to Cremate a Dead Body may only be issued to Illinois licensed funeral directors, according to Illinois law.
A funeral director licensed outside the State of Illinois must contact an Illinois licensed funeral director to act as his/her agent to file the death certificate and obtain a Medical Examiner’s/Coroner’s Permit to Cremate a Dead Body.
Illinois law establishes a fee of $100 per cremation permit payable to the coroner at the time the permit is requested. The Greene County Coroner accepts payment by credit card for permits issued online (credit card fees apply) or cash/check for permits issued in person at the coroner’s office.
To request a cremation permit online go to: https://magic.collectorsolutions.com/magic-ui/en-US/Login/greene-county-coroner