What is a post-mortem?
A post-mortem becomes necessary where a GP or the hospital cannot verify the cause of death. In these cases, the coroner becomes involved and his role is to examine and cut open the body to understand this cause of death.
The option for an (MRI) scan has been made available as an alternative to cutting a dead body for Post Mortem.
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, allows pathologists to zoom in to the areas of the corpse that they want to study in greater detail and strip away layers of clothes and tissue without having to cut them.
In such instances, the family can approach the coroner’s office and request an MRI Scan rather than the traditional surgical type of post-mortem. Even though the coroner still has discretion over the matter, they should be flexible and try to accommodate the family’s request for an MRI scan.
Local activity
Following a number of faith discussions nationally, Luton mosques worked with the Coroner’s office and local councillors to consider an alternative approach to post-mortems by offering a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan rather than an intrusive autopsy.
In the instance where a GP or the Hospital cannot verify the cause of death, the family can approach the coroner’s office and request a MRI scan rather than the traditional surgical type of postmortem. It is still at the discretion of the coroner although they will try to accommodate the family’s request for a MRI scan where possible.
The MRI Scan option has been available to the community for a number of years now and there is a charge to use this facility (previously £500, which can be paid in cash, but this sum may have been updated). This service is available through Bismillah Funeral Service (01582 514646) or Neville Funeral Services (01582 490005) and is undertaken at the MRI Centre / Oxford Magnetic Resonance Imaging (OMRI) at John Radcliffe Hospital Radiology department. Their contact number is 01865 221144.
Once the MRI scan has been undertaken, the report is provided to the Coroners office and the body released back to the funeral directors. If approved, a green form will be provided from coroners office and the burial arrangements can be made.