Lee County Coroner's Office

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CONTACT
US

Get in touch with
our office

CONTACT

DEATH
CERTIFICATES

Available through your
funeral home or ADPH

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UNCLAIMED
DECEDENTS

Help us identify and
locate next of kin

VIEW

FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS

Find answers to
common questions

VIEW FAQS

FUNERAL
HOMES

Local provider and
cremation resources

LEARN MORE

GRIEF
RESOURCES

Support and resources
for families

LEARN MORE

ABOUT THE OFFICE

Daniel Sexton, Coroner

The Lee County Coroner’s Office investigates, determines, and certifies the cause and manner of death for deaths that occur under unattended, unlawful, suspicious, or violent circumstances in Lee County, or when the events related to a person’s death originated in Lee County.

The Coroner and appointed Deputy Coroners have authority granted by the Code of Alabama. The office operates independently as an elected office and is funded by the Lee County Commission under state law.

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BY THE NUMBERS

24/7 RESPONSE

Our office responds to death calls around the clock.

365 DAYS

Coroner staff are on duty every day of the year.

100% LEE COUNTY
COVERAGE

Proudly serving every community in Lee County.

FAMILIES
FIRST

Compassionate care for those we serve.

OUR SERVICES

Death
Investigations

Autopsy
Information

Identification
Procedures

Family
Assistance

Medical Examiner
Coordination

Public Records
Requests

HELP US IDENTIFY AND LOCATE FAMILIES

Information on unidentified and unclaimed decedents in the custody of the Lee County Coroner’s Office is available online.

VIEW UNCLAIMED DECEDENTS

DEATH INVESTIGATIONS

The Lee County Coroner’s Office investigates all sudden and unexpected deaths, especially deaths that occur under violent, suspicious, unexplained, or unattended circumstances.

Examples of reportable deaths include:

Deaths from violence, unexplained causes, or suspicious circumstances.
Deaths where no physician was in attendance or the physician is unable to certify the cause of death.
Deaths while in law enforcement custody or while incarcerated.
Sudden deaths in apparent good health.
Hospital deaths less than 24 hours after admission.
Deaths suspected to be related to drugs, alcohol, neglect, or the death of an infant or child without a significant pre-existing condition.

AUTHORITY & OPERATIONS

The Coroner and appointed Deputy Coroners have authority granted by the Code of Alabama, including Code of Alabama, 1975, § 11-5-1, et seq.; § 45-41-6; and related provisions.

The Coroner and/or a Deputy Coroner, along with support staff, are on duty 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Office Hours

Business hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central Time. The business office is closed on local, state, and federal holidays. Please call before visiting, as staff may be out of the office responding to calls.

AUTOPSY INFORMATION

Forensic Autopsy

The decision to order an autopsy is made case-by-case in consultation with law enforcement partners and the Lee County District Attorney based on the circumstances of death. Not every death investigation results in an autopsy.

When needed, autopsies are performed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Private Autopsy

When the Coroner’s Office will not be performing an autopsy, individuals or families may choose to have a private autopsy performed through a private provider.

Private Autopsy Providers

Autopsy & Toxicology Reports

Autopsy and toxicology reports cannot be issued until the ADFS case is complete and any pending criminal investigations are complete.

ADFS Public Records Request

DEATH CERTIFICATES

How to Obtain a Death Certificate

Death certificates can only be obtained through your funeral home or the Alabama Department of Public Health Vital Records office.

ADPH Death Certificates

Restrictions on Release

By Alabama law, death certificates are confidential records with restricted access for 25 years from the date of death. Death certificates older than 25 years may be obtained by anyone upon payment of the proper fee.

Records less than 25 years old may be obtained by eligible family members, legal representatives, or the informant listed on the death certificate.

GRIEF SUPPORT

The Lee County Coroner’s Office provides links to grief support resources for families. These links are provided as a courtesy for families seeking support after the death of a loved one.

FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION PROVIDERS

For your convenience, the office publishes information about local funeral home and cremation providers.

Funeral Home & Cremation Providers

Important Notice: This list is provided as a courtesy. The Lee County Coroner’s Office, its staff, and volunteers do not endorse, recommend, or make representations concerning the quality of products, treatments, or services provided.

Annual report cover

ANNUAL REPORT

The Lee County Coroner’s Office publishes an annual report each year. These reports are posted online for public review.

2022 Annual Report PDF icon

2023 Annual Report

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the operating hours?

Business hours are Monday–Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM Central Time. The business office is closed on local, state, and federal holidays. The office responds to death calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Please call before visiting, as staff may be out of the office responding to calls.

When will my loved one be released to the funeral home?

If an autopsy or medical records are not required, the Coroner’s Office may release directly to the funeral home of your choice. If an autopsy or additional investigation is required, release will occur immediately upon completion of the autopsy and/or investigation.

When will the death certificate be completed?

Typically, death certificates are completed within 24 hours of being sent to the office for signature from the funeral home. If medical records or an autopsy report are needed, the certificate will not be signed until the Coroner receives, reviews, and determines the cause of death.

Where can I get a copy of a death certificate?

The Coroner’s Office has no way to print a death certificate. You will need to contact your funeral home or any health department in the State of Alabama.

How long does it take for an autopsy or toxicology report to come back?

Every case is different. Typically reports come back in about 90 days, but it may be longer or shorter depending on the specifics of the case and the current case load at ADFS.

Can you recommend a funeral home or cremation service?

No. It would be unethical for anyone associated with the Coroner’s Office to recommend a specific funeral home or cremation provider.

Does the state or county have a program for indigent burials?

The existing site states that neither the state nor county has an indigent burial program. If you have questions about the final disposition of a loved one, please contact the Coroner’s Office as soon as possible.

Can I view my loved one at the Coroner’s Office?

No. The Coroner’s Office is not designed to handle visitations or viewings. Arrangements for viewing at the funeral home should be made with the funeral director.

Where can I learn more about working or volunteering with the Coroner’s Office?

When openings are available, positions are posted on the Lee County Human Resources page. For volunteering, contact the Coroner’s Office at [email protected].

CONTACT

Lee County Coroner’s Office
100 Orr Ave
Opelika, AL 36804

MAILING

P.O. Box 2770
Opelika, AL 36803

PHONE / FAX

Office: 334-759-5959
Fax: 334-759-5969

EMAIL

[email protected]
Office Hours by Appointment