The Yale Autopsy Service

The Autopsy Service provides both morgue and autopsy services to all patients who pass away at Yale New Haven Hospital. The morgue is responsible for processing the paperwork for all deceased patients including the death certificates and autopsy consents. Yale New Haven Hospital will perform an autopsy on patients who expire at Yale New Haven Hospital and all persons who have been a registered patient of Yale New Haven Hospital at no cost to the family. Due to SARS CoV-2, and with guidance from state and federal authorities, Yale New Haven Hospital retains the right to decline to perform an autopsy based on the evolving policy. Please contact the autopsy office with questions regarding the current policy on whom may have an autopsy.

Any questions related to the process of releasing a patient to a funeral home, requesting an autopsy, or obtaining a copy of the autopsy report should be directed to the Autopsy Service. Please note that the Autopsy Service is bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) regulations and will not be able to provide medical history or answer questions regarding patient status. The Autopsy Service can answer questions pertaining to the process of having a loved one released to a funeral home or having an autopsy performed, but may direct you to speak with a funeral director or a different hospital department based on your question. Our team has a combined 75 years of experience available to guide you through this difficult time.