Kansas Funeral Director Practice Exam

Who makes an official inquiry when a person dies at home without medical attention?

1. Medical examiner

2. Coroner

3. Funeral director

4. Local police

The correct answer is: Coroner

In cases where an individual dies at home without receiving medical attention, the responsibility of conducting an official inquiry falls to the coroner. The coroner, typically an elected official, is tasked with determining the cause and manner of death, especially in instances that may involve unexpected or unusual circumstances. The coroner's role is crucial in establishing whether the death was due to natural causes, an accident, suicide, homicide, or if it is otherwise unexplained. This inquiry often involves examining the body, reviewing medical history, and potentially conducting an autopsy. The coroner's findings can have legal implications and are important for the deceased's family and the community. While the other options may be involved in different aspects of death investigations, they do not have the same authority or responsibility for official inquiries into causes of death as the coroner does. The medical examiner, for instance, usually works in jurisdictions that require medical training and is often a physician, while funeral directors primarily handle arrangements after death has been officially determined, and local police may only get involved in specific situations or provide assistance to the coroner.