The death of a loved one can be a major stressor in life. This is even more so if there are some unanswered concerns or questions regarding their death. As part of the grieving process, we need to answer these questions. Sometimes these questions cannot be answered by the clinician alone. This is where an autopsy can help you and the managing clinician.
It has consistently been shown that autopsies can reveal unsuspected findings in up to 40% of deaths. An autopsy remains the “Gold standard examination” to determine the cause of death and the extent of an illness or underlying contributing conditions.
At FMC, we understand that the decision for an autopsy might be a difficult one.
The decision for an autopsy should also not be made lightly.
A forensic autopsy is mandated by the Inquests Act 58 of 1959 in ALL cases of death due to unnatural or suspicious causes. If there is a reasonable possibility that your loved one has died because of unnatural causes, the matter must be reported to the police. A private autopsy cannot be considered in these cases!
A private autopsy is performed under the National Health Act 61 of 2003. In terms of this Act, informed consent is needed for all private autopsies. If the pathologist finds any indication of an unnatural cause of death during a private autopsy, he/she must report this to the police. A forensic autopsy will then be mandated.
In a Complete Private Autopsy, the whole body and all organ systems are examined. The pathologist will open the chest, abdomen, and head of the deceased, and remove the organs for individual dissection and examination. Informed consent is needed from the family for all private autopsies.
This type of autopsy is the most comprehensive and provides the most complete answers. In this type of autopsy, tissue samples for histological examination are also taken. All the organs, minus tissue samples, are placed back into the body cavities after examination. All the body cavities are also closed up with suturing.
A confidential and comprehensive Autopsy Report will be provided to the Requesting Authority. This may take longer due to histological investigations.
Complete Private Autopsies always includes selected histology.
Informed consent by the requesting authority is an essential prerequisite for a private autopsy. Consent may be obtained from the deceased before his/her death or in terms of their will. Consent may also be obtained from their next of kin after death has taken place.
Including histology
Excluding travel and accommodation
In a Limited Private Autopsy, only selected organ systems of the body are examined, like the brain, heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys. The pathologist will open the targeted body cavity, and dissect and examine specific organs. Informed consent is needed from the family for all private autopsies.
This type of autopsy provides limited answers, limited to the targeted organ/s. In this type of autopsy, tissue samples for histological examination may be taken with consent from the Authorising Person (this will add to costs). All the organs, minus tissue samples, are placed back into the body cavities after examination. All the body cavities are also closed up with suturing.
A confidential and comprehensive Autopsy Report will be provided to the Requesting Authority. This may take longer if histological investigations were done.
Limited Private Autopsies may include selected histology.
Informed consent by the requesting authority is an essential prerequisite for a private autopsy. Consent may be obtained from the deceased before his/her death or in terms of their will. Consent may also be obtained from their next of kin after death has taken place.
Excluding histology
Excluding travel and accommodation