205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
The Kittitas County Coroner’s Office works with a range of community partners to ensure deaths are handled lawfully, respectfully, and with appropriate coordination. Each agency or organization has a distinct role, and our office works with them as needed depending on the circumstances of a case.
Law enforcement officers are often among the first to respond when a death is sudden, unattended, unexpected, suspicious, or related to injury. They help secure the scene, gather initial information, and coordinate with the Coroner’s Office when a death must be reported for investigation. The Coroner’s Office and law enforcement may work together during a death investigation, but their responsibilities are different. Law enforcement investigates potential criminal activity and public safety concerns. The Coroner’s Office is responsible for investigating the death itself and determining cause and manner of death when the case falls within its jurisdiction.
EMS personnel may respond when a person is critically ill, injured, or believed to have died outside of a hospital setting. EMS may provide emergency care, confirm death when appropriate and authorized, document the circumstances of the call, and share important information with the Coroner’s Office or law enforcement. EMS plays an important role in the early response, while the Coroner’s Office becomes involved when the death must be reviewed under legal reporting requirements.
Doctors, hospitals, clinics, hospice providers, and long-term care facilities may provide medical history, treatment information, and other records needed to understand the circumstances of a death. In some cases, a medical provider may be able to certify a natural death without coroner involvement. In other cases, the death must be reported to the Coroner’s Office for review. The Coroner’s Office works with medical providers to gather facts, clarify circumstances, and determine whether further examination or investigation is necessary.
Funeral homes are important partners in caring for the deceased and assisting families with final arrangements. Once the Coroner’s Office authorizes release of remains, the funeral home typically takes custody and works with the family on burial, cremation, transportation, and related services. The Coroner’s Office does not function as a funeral home, but it coordinates closely with funeral directors to ensure release procedures are completed properly and respectfully.
When a death involves possible criminal conduct, legal review, or court-related matters, the Coroner’s Office may coordinate with the prosecutor and other legal authorities. This coordination helps ensure that investigations, documentation, and legal processes are handled appropriately.
Public health and vital records offices play a separate but important role in the death registration process. While the Coroner’s Office may certify cause and manner of death in certain cases, certified death certificates are generally issued through the appropriate vital records process rather than directly by the coroner.
A death can affect more than just the immediate investigation. Families may need emotional support, grief resources, victim advocacy, faith-based support, or help navigating practical next steps. Community organizations, counselors, clergy, and victim services may all provide important assistance during and after a loss. The Coroner’s Office may direct families to appropriate resources, but these services are typically provided by separate community organizations and support professionals.
No one agency handles every aspect of a death. The Coroner’s Office is one part of a broader network that helps ensure:
