Rhode Island Office of State Medical Examiners

Information for Families

After a death has occured, families often have questions for the OSME. Common questions involve the need to perfrom an autopsy, relating to insurance, or how to obtain a copy of a autopsy report. Please use the following link to these questions. If you need more information please call the Medical Examiner's Office for more information at (401) 222-5500.

• Families Frequently Asked Questions

When a loved one dies the recovery process is slow and emotionally painful. The grieving process can be less painful if you try to understand that loss and grief is a natural part of life. To assist families in this process the OSME has provided the following contact information to local bereavement organizations.

• Newport Hospital
  Friendship Street
  Newport, RI
  (401) 845-1114
  For: Infant Death
  
• Ronald McDonald House
  Health Education Office
  45 Gay Street
  Providence, RI
  (401) 274-1122 x4049
  For: Pregnancy after Loss Support Group
  
• Ronald McDonald House
  Rhode Island Hospital Campus
  Contact Fred Barboza (401) 444-3062
  Contact Rachael Thomas (401) 444-5719
  For: Parent Bereavement Suport Group
  
• Community VNA
  141 Park Street
  Attleboro, MA
  Contact Denise Boissoneault
  (508) 222-0118 x2157
  For: General Bereavement Adults and Children
  
• Hospice Outreach
  502 Bedford Street
  Fall River, MA 02720
  (508) 673-1589
  For: General Bereavement and Loss of Spouse
  
• Friends Way
  146 Duke Street
  East Greenwich, RI 02818
  (401) 884-0200
  www.friendsway.org
  For: Loss of Parent
  
• Rhode Island Victims Assistance
  875 Oaklawn Avenue
  PO Box 20072
  Cranston, RI 02920
  (401) 943-9266
  For: Loss of Loved One by Homicide
  
• RI Victims Advocacy and Support Center
  
• The Samaritans
  PO Box 9086
  Providence, RI 02940
  (401) 272-4243 - Crisis Line
  (401) 272-4044 - Listening Line
  (800) 365-4044
  www.samaritansri.org
  For: Loss of Loved One by Suicide
  
• American Association of Suicidology
  
• VNA of Care New England
  Care New England Home Health
  45 Willard Avenue
  Providence, RI 02905
  (401) 737-6050
  (800) 348-6417
  www.cnehomehealth.org
  For: General Bereavement
  
• Visting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island
  6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 515
  Lincoln, RI
  Contact Patricia Brodeur
  (401) 769-5670
  (800) 696-7991
  For: General Bereavement
  
• Roger Williams Hospital
  825 Chalkstone Avenue
  Providence, RI 02908
  (401) 456-2284
  Jim Willsey, Chaplain (can see one on one)
  For: General Bereavement
  
• Additional resources may be found at:
  • Funeral Homes
  • Community Centers
  • Family Service Agencies
  • Community Hospitals
  • Private Counselors

The OSME supports the donation of organs and tissue. Organ donation can help families through the greiving process and give others a second chance at life. For more information on Organ and Tissue Donation please use the following link.

• Organ and Tissue Donation