The Coroner’s Office is responsible for investigating the cause and manner of death of all sudden or unexpected deaths within the county, or natural deaths where the person has not been seen under the close care of a physician. The office is also responsible for identifying any unknown decedent and locating the next-of-kin, and preserving all criminal and/or civil evidence, and personal assets and estates.

Government Code Section 27491 mandates that the County Coroner will inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner and cause of all deaths (except those under a physician’s care within the 20 days prior to death) that occur within the Coroner’s jurisdiction.

The department has made a concentrated effort to increase community outreach in the area of grief counseling, community-based adult and juvenile substance abuse prevention program, and elder care and elder abuse prevention in homes and care facilities.

The County does not have a central forensics facility (morgue). The Coroner has informal arrangements with several private mortuaries in the county, and these private facilities are used for the autopsies that the Coroner is required to conduct.

The Coroner is elected by Marin County voters.