The Washington Post this weekend writes about a DC practice which allows families to purchase post-autopsy photos of their deceased.
It’s unusual, but not unheard of, for medical examiners to provide families with photos of departed kin, although most often it’s done only after the autopsy, the police investigation and court proceedings are complete. Practices differ across the country: As a rule, Maryland does not release photos to relatives or to anyone else; Virginia does, free, under tightly controlled circumstances.
Officials were unable to say how many photos have been requested and sold. The medical examiner lists the prices — $10 for glossy or laser prints, $15 for 35mm slides — on the same fee schedule that lists charges of $150 for “body storage” and $75 for a report explaining a stillbirth.
Read the full story here.
