San Diego Medical Examiner vs. Coroner: What's the Difference?

By Bravo Family Mortuary — Reviewed by Lena Bravo-Olsher, Licensed Funeral Director·Last reviewed July 2026

Quick Answer

In San Diego County, there is no coroner — the official office is the Medical Examiner. The roles are similar, but a coroner is an elected or appointed official who may not be a physician, while a Medical Examiner is an appointed physician and forensic pathologist. San Diego replaced its coroner system with a Medical Examiner in 1990. If you are searching for the 'San Diego coroner,' you are looking for the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office at (858) 694-2895.

A quiet, respectful floral tribute — understanding the San Diego Medical Examiner and coroner — A moment of clarity, when everything feels uncertain.

If you searched for the “San Diego coroner” — perhaps after an unexpected loss — you may have been surprised to find the “Medical Examiner” instead. You are in the right place. The two terms point to the same office here.

Here is the difference, explained simply, along with what it means if your loved one is in their care. If you would rather just talk to someone, Bravo Family Mortuary is available 24 hours a day at 1-833-762-7286.

Does San Diego Have a Coroner?

Not anymore. San Diego County replaced its elected coroner with an appointed Medical Examiner on March 31, 1990. Today it is one of only five of California’s 58 counties with an independent Medical Examiner’s office.

So when people search for the “San Diego coroner,” the office they are actually looking for is the San Diego County Medical Examiner — same responsibilities, same building, same phone number.

Coroner vs. Medical Examiner: The Key Difference

Both a coroner and a medical examiner investigate and certify deaths that happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or outside a physician’s care. The difference is in who holds the office:

Coroner

An elected or appointed official. In many jurisdictions a coroner is not required to be a physician and works with separate forensic pathologists for autopsies. Many California counties still use this system.

Medical Examiner (San Diego)

An appointed physician — specifically a board-certified forensic pathologist — who both investigates and medically certifies the cause of death. This is the system San Diego County uses.

What Does the San Diego Medical Examiner Do?

The San Diego County Medical Examiner investigates deaths that are sudden, unexpected, accidental, or that occur without a physician’s direct care — as required by California law. Its physicians and investigators determine the cause and manner of death, locate and notify the next of kin, and coordinate the release of each person to the funeral home the family chooses.

The office is located at 5570 Overland Ave, Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92123, and can be reached at (858) 694-2895.

If Your Loved One Is With the San Diego Medical Examiner

If you reached this page because your loved one is in the Medical Examiner’s care, the one decision in front of you right now is choosing a funeral home to bring them into care. We can help you with that in a single phone call — and handle everything, including the paperwork, electronically, wherever you are.

Learn exactly how on our San Diego Medical Examiner funeral & cremation services page, or read our step-by-step guide to what happens when you receive a call from the Medical Examiner.

We are here for your family — 24 hours a day.

Coordinating with the San Diego Medical Examiner, so you don’t have to.

Call 1-833-762-7286

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Diego have a coroner?

Not anymore. San Diego County replaced its elected coroner with an appointed Medical Examiner on March 31, 1990. The Medical Examiner's Office now fills that role, so when people search for the "San Diego coroner," the office they are looking for is the San Diego County Medical Examiner.

Is the San Diego coroner the same as the Medical Examiner?

Yes, in practical terms. San Diego no longer has a separate coroner — the Medical Examiner's Office handles the responsibilities people associate with a coroner: investigating sudden or unexpected deaths, determining the cause and manner of death, and releasing each person to the family's chosen funeral home.

What is the phone number and address for the San Diego Medical Examiner?

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office is at 5570 Overland Ave, Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92123, and can be reached at (858) 694-2895. If you need help arranging care for a loved one there, Bravo Family Mortuary is available 24/7 at 1-833-762-7286 and coordinates directly with that office.

Why does San Diego use a Medical Examiner instead of a coroner?

A Medical Examiner is a physician — a board-certified forensic pathologist — while a coroner is an elected or appointed official who is not always a doctor. San Diego adopted the Medical Examiner system in 1990 for that medical expertise, and is one of only five of California's 58 counties with an independent Medical Examiner's office.

What should I do if my loved one is with the San Diego Medical Examiner?

The one decision in front of you right now is choosing a licensed funeral home or mortuary to bring your loved one into care, and calling them. From there, they handle the release paperwork, coordinate with the Medical Examiner, and guide every arrangement — and it can all be done remotely. Bravo Family Mortuary is here 24/7 at 1-833-762-7286.

Whether you call it the coroner or the Medical Examiner, if your family is facing a sudden loss in San Diego, you do not have to navigate it alone. We do this every day, and we would be honored to help you.

Call us any time: 1-833-762-7286. We’re here for you.

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