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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) No postmortem examination of the body of a deceased person shall be conducted by any person other than a duly licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy. Written or telegraphic consent for a doctor of medicine or osteopathy to conduct a postmortem examination of the body of the deceased person shall be deemed sufficient when given by whichever 1 of the following assumes custody of the body for the purpose of burial: Father, mother, husband, wife, child, guardian, next of kin or, in absence of any of the foregoing, a person who assumes the duty of legal disposal of the body. If 2 or more such persons assume custody of the body, consent of 1 of them who is legally considered as the next of kin shall be deemed sufficient.
(b) The licensed physician conducting the postmortem examination shall not be liable in damages for any action taken in making such postmortem examination.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 16. Health and Safety § 2707. Postmortem examination only by physicians; liability; consent - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-16-health-and-safety/de-code-sect-16-2707/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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