What Happens When You Receive a Call from the San Diego Medical Examiner?

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

Quick Answer

When you receive a call from the San Diego Medical Examiner, it means your loved one has passed away and their case is under the care of the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office at 5570 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA 92123. The office will ask you to select a licensed funeral home or mortuary to take your loved one into care. That is the only decision you need to make right now — and Bravo Family Mortuary is here to help you make it.

A quiet San Diego sunrise over the mountains — a calm, steadying image for families facing a sudden loss — You are not alone in this moment — there are clear steps, and someone will help.

If you have just received a call from the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office, you are likely in shock. The news arrived without warning. You may be hundreds of miles away, and you may have no idea what comes next.

We want you to know: you are not alone in this moment, and you do not have to figure this out by yourself. This guide will walk you through exactly what to expect — calmly, clearly, and one step at a time. If you need someone right now, Bravo Family Mortuary is available 24 hours a day at 1-833-762-7286.

Why Did the San Diego Medical Examiner Call Me?

The San Diego County Medical Examiner investigates deaths that are sudden, unexpected, accidental, or that occur without a physician’s direct care. This includes deaths from accidents, falls, unattended deaths at home, and any death where the cause is unknown at the time. The Medical Examiner’s involvement does not mean anything improper happened — it is simply California law, and it exists to protect families by ensuring every unexpected death is properly documented.

The office handles more than 4,000 cases every year — over eleven each day. Their investigators and forensic pathologists are experienced, professional, and trained to work with families through this exact kind of shock and loss. You have reached the right place, and so have they.

Here’s Exactly What Happens After the Call

You received the notification

The San Diego Medical Examiner has identified you as the legal next of kin. The call is formal, but it comes from people who understand what this moment feels like. They have asked you to select a funeral home or mortuary to receive your loved one. That is the one decision in front of you right now.

You choose a funeral home

You may be given a reference list of local providers, or you may search on your own. When families search for a funeral home near the San Diego Medical Examiner, Bravo Family Mortuary is one of the results you will find — and we encourage you to read what families say about us before making any decision.

You authorize the release — and it can be done electronically

The next step is signing an “Order for Release of Remains” — the legal authorization that allows the Medical Examiner to transfer your loved one into the mortuary’s care. Bravo Family Mortuary sends all documents electronically. You do not need to travel to San Diego; you can complete everything from wherever you are.

We coordinate pickup with the Medical Examiner

After you authorize us, Bravo handles everything. We contact the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office — a facility we work with constantly, just minutes from our mortuary — and arrange to bring your loved one into our care. You will not have to make additional calls or navigate the process on your own.

We discuss your options, clearly and without pressure

Cremation is the choice most families make in these situations, and our San Diego cremation services range from simple direct cremation to full memorial ceremonies. If burial or a traditional service is right for your family, we offer that as well. We give you clear, upfront pricing during your first call.

We return your loved one to you

If your family is out of state or out of the country, we carefully package and ship your loved one’s remains directly to you. Local San Diego families can arrange to receive remains at our facility. Either way, we handle every detail with the care and respect your loved one deserves.

Your next step: see exactly how we guide families through this — from release to services — on our San Diego Medical Examiner funeral & cremation services page.

Can I Handle Everything From Out of State?

Yes — completely and fully. This is one of the most common questions we receive, and the answer is an unqualified yes. Many of the families who contact us after a loved one passes at the San Diego Medical Examiner are calling from out of state — from Texas, Arizona, the East Coast, and even internationally.

Every step of the process can be handled remotely. Authorization forms are sent electronically. Decisions about services are made by phone or email. Remains can be shipped directly to your door. You will never be required to fly to San Diego to take care of your loved one — and you can reach us any time to begin arranging services from out of state.

How Long Before My Loved One Can Be Released?

The Medical Examiner’s examination is usually completed within about a day of your loved one being received — sometimes longer over a weekend or if identification takes time. Your loved one is generally available for release to a funeral home within 48 to 72 hours of being taken into the Medical Examiner’s care, once the signed Order for Release of Remains has been received.

In about 30% of cases, the final cause of death requires additional lab testing — a process that can take four to six months. It is important to know that this does not delay the release of your loved one’s body to the mortuary. A death certificate can still be issued and services can proceed while testing continues. Bravo Family Mortuary can help you understand exactly where your loved one’s case stands when you call us.

Why Families Choose Bravo Family Mortuary

A dignified funeral service at a San Diego funeral home — a polished wooden casket with a floral spray as family gathers to say goodbye — Bravo Family Mortuary arranges beautiful, dignified services — honoring your loved one with the same care we would give our own family.

When you are facing a sudden loss, the last thing you need is to wonder whether you have chosen the right people. Here is why San Diego families — and out-of-town families — trust Bravo:

Family-owned, not a corporate chain. We treat your loved one the way we would treat a member of our own family. You will speak with real people who care deeply about what they do.
Minutes from the San Diego Medical Examiner. We work with this office constantly. We know the process, the staff, and how to move quickly on your behalf.
Everything can be done remotely. No travel required. All paperwork is electronic, and we walk you through every step.
A real, beautiful facility. We invite you to come meet us and see where your loved one will be cared for — something many low-cost providers operating out of office buildings cannot offer.
Honest, upfront pricing. You will know exactly what you are paying before you commit to anything. No hidden fees, no pressure.
Available 24/7. When you call, a real person answers — at any hour, on any day.

“Price is not the only predictor of what happens when your loved one enters someone’s care. Read the reviews — it tells you more than price ever will.”— Steve Olsher, Bravo Family Mortuary

For more about all the ways we can help, visit our San Diego Medical Examiner funeral services, or read what families say about us.

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

bravofamilymortuary.com · 4427 Rainier Ave, San Diego, CA 92120

Call 1-833-762-7286

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do when a loved one is at the San Diego Medical Examiner?

Right now, there is only one decision in front of you: choose a licensed funeral home or mortuary to bring your loved one into care, and call them. From there, they handle the next steps for you — preparing and submitting the Order for Release of Remains, coordinating directly with the Medical Examiner, and guiding every arrangement. It can all be done remotely, wherever you are. Bravo Family Mortuary is available 24/7 at 1-833-762-7286 to walk you through what to do next.

What does the San Diego Medical Examiner do with my loved one?

The San Diego County Medical Examiner conducts an examination — and, when it is needed, a full autopsy — to determine the official cause and manner of death. This is performed by a licensed forensic pathologist, usually within a day or so of your loved one being received. The office and its staff work to preserve the body's appearance, and an examination will not prevent an open-casket funeral viewing.

How do I release a loved one from the San Diego Medical Examiner?

To release your loved one, the legal next of kin signs an “Order for Release of Remains,” which authorizes the Medical Examiner to transfer your loved one to the funeral home of your choice. The mortuary typically provides the form, obtains your signature (which can be done electronically), and submits it to the Medical Examiner's office on your behalf. Bravo Family Mortuary handles this entire process for you.

Do I have to travel to San Diego to make funeral arrangements?

No. Bravo Family Mortuary handles all arrangements electronically and by phone. Families from across the United States and internationally have completed every step — authorization, service planning, and payment — without setting foot in San Diego. Remains can also be shipped directly to you after services are complete.

How quickly can a funeral home pick up from the San Diego Medical Examiner?

Once your signed authorization is received, Bravo Family Mortuary coordinates pickup promptly. The Medical Examiner generally releases the body within 48 to 72 hours of taking your loved one into their care — often sooner. We work to bring your loved one into our care as quickly as possible, because we understand that every hour matters to a grieving family.

What is the difference between the San Diego Medical Examiner and a coroner?

In San Diego County, the official office is called the Medical Examiner, not the coroner. The Medical Examiner is a physician — a forensic pathologist — appointed to investigate and certify the cause of death in cases that fall under their jurisdiction. Some other California counties use the elected title of “coroner” for a similar role. 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.

What happens to my loved one's personal property at the Medical Examiner?

Personal property collected at the scene of death is logged, secured, and held by the Medical Examiner's office. It can be released to the legal next of kin during normal business hours, or released to the mortuary for delivery to your family if you authorize that on the Order for Release of Remains. Bravo Family Mortuary can help coordinate the return of your loved one's belongings.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Receiving a call from the San Diego Medical Examiner is one of the most disorienting moments a person can face. You were not prepared for this call. You are likely far from San Diego. You are navigating paperwork and decisions while in the deepest kind of grief.

Bravo Family Mortuary exists for exactly this moment. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and when you call, a real person will answer — no menu, no waiting for a callback. You will speak with someone who does this every day, who genuinely cares, and who will walk you through every single step.

Call us now: 1-833-762-7286. We’re here. We’ll take it from here.

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