GENERAL NOTES

Please refer to immediate practical matters for additional urgent needs and concerns. This section gives a quick overview of specific types of crimes or incidents that you may have experienced. At the end of each section is a list of related resources under Agencies involved.

Contact info for agencies involved is in RESOURCES.

Important Information and Resources

Homicide Detectives go to all scenes of homicide, suicide and unexplained deaths. They will typically make one family member/friend their main contact person for the investigation.

Role of Coroner

Investigators from the Coroner’s Office go to the scene of all homicides.

The Coroner’s office will keep in evidence whatever property is on the deceased (cell phone, clothing, jewelry, etc), so you will need to check with them for any valuables.

• The body should not be moved by anyone but the Coroner (for integrity of the crime scene), and they take possession of the body.

• The Coroner’s office will notify the next of kin, and provide a photo for identification of the deceased, so the actual body is not viewed – and for this, try to have a support person with you. There are instances where further identification may be needed, and families/friends can provide pictures of the decedent’s (person who died) tattoos or scars.

• An autopsy is required by law for all homicides. The coroner and team of pathologists make the final determination of cause of death.

• Every homicide will have required drug testing done at a national lab, which takes about 6-8 weeks and may be delayed due to investigations and autopsy findings.

• The Bureau of Vital Records issues death certificates. The funeral home can assist with getting a death certificate; you will need to pay for each certified copy (around $10/copy).

• If you need a preliminary death certificate for matters involving the decedent’s insurance or estate, you can request one from the Coroner’s office.

• After the autopsy, the Coroner releases the body to the funeral home you have hired, or keeps them in the morgue until funeral arrangements have been made (up to a 30-day limit).

Wills/estates

An executor represents the decedent’s estate, in a process called a succession. An estate of less than $125,000 typically doesn’t need succession. Louisiana is a community property state, which can impact this process. You may want to find legal guidance [See Civil Legal Matters].

• Funeral and life insurance may cover some costs

• If qualified, Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) helps with funeral costs up to $6,500 (if the crime happened before May 1, 2023, it allows up to $5,000). You will only be reimbursed for money spent directly (they will not pay back money that insurance has paid) [See our Crime Victim Reparations Guide].

Funeral Information

The Federal Trade Commission provides consumer rights and guidance to help you through this process.

Website: https://consumer.ftc.gov/shopping-and-donating/funerals

Funerals are shockingly expensive, and unfortunately sometimes people try to take advantage of families during this stressful and traumatic time. Funeral homes are required to give you a published price list of all the costs involved. The cost of similar services vary widely between funeral homes so it is advisable to shop around.

• Most funeral homes will require payment upfront (most do not offer payment plans, but ask if they offer reduced rates). Due to the high costs of funerals, it is common for 2 or 3-week delays between the death and funeral.

• Reach out to non profit Wake for help comparing prices for services.

• Contact non profit SilenceIsViolence for recommendations and help.

Other options are to have the body embalmed and dressed for a viewing, and then to cremate the body rather than bury it (burial is more expensive). Or, if a viewing is too expensive, you can request an ID with “minimal preparation” or even just direct cremation. Ashes can be stored at a mausoleum, at the home of a family member, or scattered at a place where a loved one enjoyed spending time. A memorial service may be held if the body is not present. See Wake for information on memorialization alternatives.

If you have safety or retaliation concerns that may arise around the funeral, please speak to your NOPD Victim/Witness Advocate or Detective, a pastor, or community leader [See Community Assistance in our RESOURCES, for other violence reduction groups].

If you decide to write an obituary, you could consider if you want monetary donations made to a charity or organization. For example, one woman asked people to help contribute to restoring a playground her son played in.

Agencies involved

NOPD; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Coroner’s Office; Bureau of Vital Records; Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO (if accused is jailed); Federal agencies (some cases); Civil lawyers (wills, lawsuits, etc.) see Legal Assistance; Docket Master (to track an Orleans criminal court case) and LA Vine (to sign up for victim notifications of custody status); Wake; SilenceIsViolence (support groups/services, all types of violence with focus on gun violence); UMC Trauma Recovery Center (support groups, all types of violence); LSR (support groups, all types of violence); NOPD Chaplains (Baptist Community Ministries, works with NOPD); Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) (victim-survivor compensation)