For decades, retaining organs as part of an autopsy was standard practice, and information shared with bereaved families was sometimes limited in an attempt to spare them further grief. As a result, there are some families who may not have been notified that an organ was retained for testing to help determine the cause of death.

Now, under Regulation 180 of the Coroners Act, families are routinely notified when an organ is retained and their wishes regarding final disposition of the organ are sought wherever possible.

Immediate family members and personal representatives (i.e. those responsible for administering an estate) are invited to contact the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and the Office of the Chief Coroner at 1-855-564-4122 or send an email to OrganRetention@ontario.ca to find out if an organ was retained in their case. Affected families and personal representatives may request that the organ be sent to a funeral home for cremation or burial, at the expense of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and the Office of the Chief Coroner.

On June 14, 2013, remaining organs retained before June 10, 2010, will be respectfully disposed of in accordance with Regulation 180 made under the Coroners Act.

Ontario's Chief Forensic Pathologist and Chief Coroner are committed to helping families get the answers they need.