When is permission from the Medical Examiner necessary for embalming?

Permission from the Medical Examiner is necessary for embalming when the death is subject to investigation by the Medical Examiner. This requirement is in place to ensure that the investigation process is not compromised. If a death is deemed suspicious or is otherwise under inquiry, the Medical Examiner may need to conduct an autopsy or other examinations that could be affected by the embalming process. Without the appropriate permission, embalming could hinder the ability to accurately determine the cause and manner of death, which is crucial in cases that require investigation.

The other scenarios, such as embalming for a public viewing or for bodies that have been deceased for longer than 24 hours, do not inherently require Medical Examiner approval; they may simply follow standard funeral practice. Similarly, while issues related to unclaimed bodies may have different regulations or considerations, they do not automatically necessitate prior consent from the Medical Examiner in the same manner as a case under investigation.