Coroner

Death Certification during the COVID-19 Pandemic


Coroner Christina VandePol recently wrote an article on the challenges of death certification during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article, published in Chester County Medicine, can be found here.

Mission Statement


The Chester County Coroner's Office is an independent agency serving the citizens and honoring the deceased of the county by investigating the facts and circumstances concerning jurisdictional deaths which have occurred within Chester County. We determine the cause and manner of death, the identity of the decedent, and provide notification to the legal next of kin, while exhibiting the highest degree of compassion, professionalism, and integrity.

Philadelphia Memorial Park Unclaimed Cremains Interment October 2020

Forms


Survivor's Guide


The Survivors Guide is provided by the Coroner's office to assist survivors with decision-making and helpful solutions during their time of loss.
Survivors Guide in Spanish (Guia Para La Familia)

Current Year Statistical Data

Coroner jurisdiction is over certain kinds of deaths (as detailed in State Statute Title 16 P.S., County Code) that occur within Chester County. The location of the event leading to the death or the residence of the decedent prior to death may in some cases be outside Chester County. Location of death is the governing factor in determining Coroner jurisdiction and inclusion in these data.

2021 COVID-19 Deaths Reported to the Coroner's Office

Type of Case
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
COVID-19 Deaths
110
55
24
                  
189
Presumed COVID-19 Deaths
0
0
0









0
Total COVID-19 Deaths
110
55
24









189

2021 Statistics

Manner of Death
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
 Nov Dec
Total
Natural
181
131
88









400
Accidental
20
21
7









48
Homicide
4
0
0









4
Suicide
3
2
3









8
Pending
1
2
15









18
Undetermined
1
0
0









1
Non-Human Remains
0
1
0









1
Total Cases
210
157
113









480

Case Type

Type of Case
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
 Nov Dec
Total
Jurisdictional
162
98
61









321
Non-Jurisdictional
48
59
52









159
Totals
210
157
113









480

Accidental Deaths

Type of Accident
Total
Drug Overdose
13
Fall
18
Motor Vehicle Accident
6
Exposure
8
Choking
0
Drowning
0
Other
3
Total Cases
48

Suicides

Type of Suicide
Total
Firearms
5
Hanging
3
Other
0
Total Cases
8

Homicides

Type of Homicide
Total
Firearms
4
Other
0
Total Cases
4

Undetermined

Type of Undetermined
Total
Undetermined
0
Overdose
1
Total Cases
1

Other Statistics

Other Statistics
Jan
 Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Total
Cremation Requests
252
289
 251                  
792
Autopsy Performed
18
17
14
                  
49
External Autopsy Performed
1
1
2
                  
4
Toxicology Draws Only
10
9
4
                  
23
Organ Donors
4
7
2
                  
13
* Statistics as of April 16, 2021

Links