“We offer private autopsies to help families understand the medical facts surrounding a loved one’s death. Our goal is to provide clarity, documentation, and answers — grounded in science, integrity, and compassion.”
What You
NEED to know.
What a Private Autopsy Can Do
Examine the body externally and internally
Review medical records to confirm reported care
Provide documented findings suitable for legal or insurance review
Identify undiagnosed conditions that might matter to surviving family
What It Cannot Do
Guarantee emotional closure
Assign blame or fault
Determine whether a provider was negligent (legal determination)
Accurately back-calculate medication doses except in extreme cases
This helps families decide if the service matches their needs.
“Preliminary findings can often be shared quickly.”
“Final detailed reports take time due to lab testing.”
“Physicians are available to explain the findings and answer questions in plain language.”
Private autopsies are a significant professional undertaking. Our pricing reflects a full team approach — board-certified forensic pathologist, experienced assistants, thorough record review, and industry-standard forensic procedures. This ensures the examination is done right the first time.
“Families often ask for private autopsies because a death was unexpected or they need definitive answers about how their loved one died. A private autopsy can provide clear medical findings when possible, but it cannot undo the loss or assign fault. Our goal is to give families factual answers they can rely on.”
-Dr. Erik Handberg, M.D.
Our services
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Private Autopsies
Full internal, external, and microscopic examinations with detailed written reports and discussion with physicians
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Toxicology
Determine the presence and levels of therapeutic and/or illicit substances
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Medical Record Review
Expert consultation and interpretation of medical history leading to a loved one’s passing
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Transport
Secure, respectful transport to and from a local funeral home of choice
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Pricing
Autopsy Services
Full Autopsy with Toxicology - $5,500
Full Autopsy without Toxicology - $5,000
Transport
Within Louisiana - $500 roundtrip
Outside Louisiana - Call for details
Exhumation
Call for details
Consultation
Call for details
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Exhumation
Recovery of previously buried remains with legal authorization
FAQs
Will this delay funeral services?
1
In most cases, no.
Private autopsies are typically completed promptly and coordinated to avoid unnecessary delays. We work closely with funeral homes to ensure services proceed as planned whenever possible. Any potential delay will be discussed before the examination so families can make informed decisions.
Who must authorize a private autopsy?
2
A private autopsy must be authorized by the legal next of kin or the person with legal authority to make decisions for the deceased. This is usually a spouse, adult child, parent, or legally designated representative. We verify authorization before proceeding.
Can this help with a legal case?
3
A private autopsy can provide medical facts and documentation, which may be important in legal or insurance matters. However:
We do not determine fault or negligence.
Legal conclusions are made by attorneys and courts.
If a family is considering legal action, we strongly encourage them to speak with an attorney first to ensure a private autopsy is appropriate and useful for their situation.
What does board certified mean?
4
A board-certified forensic pathologist is a physician who:
Completed medical school
Trained in pathology
Completed specialized fellowship training in forensic pathology
Passed a rigorous national certification exam
Board certification indicates that the physician has been recognized by peers for having the training, competence, and ethical standards required to perform post-mortem examinations involving sudden, unexpected, or unexplained deaths.
There’s only one board certification in forensic pathology. ‘Double’ or ‘triple’ board-certified just means the doctor has certifications in other medical areas as well. Those aren’t bad, but they don’t change the forensic autopsy itself.