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Lincoln County coroner reports stable caseload, cites transport costs and limited regional capacity
Summary
Dr. Snell reported 97 death notifications in 2025, 72 accepted coroner cases, 16 autopsies and 51 transports; he told commissioners transport costs and limited provider availability created a budget shortfall and that alternatives such as ambulance or funeral‑home transport were constrained.
Lincoln County Coroner Dr. Snell presented the coroner’s 2025 report Feb. 10, telling commissioners the office received 97 death notifications, accepted 72 coroner cases, conducted 16 autopsies and performed 51 transports.
Dr. Snell said autopsy fees and transport are the primary budget pressures; transport expenses produced a shortfall last year because the county’s prior transport contractor resigned and available providers are limited. He said Dakota Embalming covers the Sioux Falls area, while transports in other parts of the county are handled by Canton, Lennox or Beardsford ambulances. He said attempts to shift transport duties to funeral homes failed because those businesses declined due to staffing limitations.
The coroner said state law governs which deaths become coroner’s cases and that the office must sometimes order toxicology and other examinations; he noted the county’s storage capacity for decedents currently holds five bodies and that Sanford Pathology’s expanded anatomy capacity may improve storage options in the future.
Commissioners thanked the coroner and asked about alternatives; Dr. Snell suggested the sheriff’s office could assume transport duties but said convincing that office to do so would be a separate decision and that there are liability and staffing costs to consider. No immediate policy change was directed during the meeting.
