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County coroner pitches in-house autopsy facility to reduce per-case costs
Summary
The county coroner said Mason County pays $2,500–$4,500 per out-of-county autopsy and is exploring building an accredited local autopsy facility; a pathologist has offered a sizable donation and the coroner is working with the grant writer.
The county coroner told department heads she is developing a proposal to create an in‑county autopsy facility, saying current out-of-county autopsies cost roughly $2,500 to $4,500 each and that a local facility could save money long term.
The coroner said a pathologist has offered a sizable donation toward the project, that the office is pursuing accreditation for a local facility, and that the grant writer (Tanesa) is assisting with applications. The coroner said current practice requires traveling to multiple counties — Lewis, Thurston and Cowlitz — because of pathology staffing shortages, and that a local facility could also serve neighboring jurisdictions and potentially generate fee revenue.
No formal decisions or commitments were made; the coroner said she will return with more detailed cost and funding information when available and will work with the county grant writer on potential proposals.
