Coroner

Annual Reports

Reporting Deaths to the Coroner's Office

Request an Autopsy Report

Request a Death Certificate

The Cass County Coroner's Office does NOT issue death certificates. Death certificates can be obtained by contacting the ND Office of Vital Records: https://www.health.nd.gov/vital

Via Internet ( Credit Card Only )

The secure internet application will guide you through the order process and provide you with instant verification that your order has been received by our office. If you chose this option to order a death record, you will be required to fax or e-mail us a legible copy of one of the identification choices listed above. After you have submitted your order using our Internet application, you will be given a receipt number and instructions on how to fax or e-mail your identification. Please remember to include your receipt number on the fax or e-mail that includes your ID so that we can match up your ID with your order.

Via Mail ( Check or Money Order )

Download and completely fill out request form (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Make checks and/or money order payable to: ND Department of Health
Mail completed request form to:

Division of Vital Records
600 E. Boulevard Ave. - Dept. 301
Bismarck, ND 58505-0200

Unattended Deaths

For Students

Thank you for your interest in learning more about the field of medicolegal death investigation. Due to a high volume of individuals interested in the Cass County Coroner's Office, we have linked some information below where you may find answers to your questions—at least enough to get you started thinking about forensics. Good luck in your future pursuits!

Resources:

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Other ways to get hands-on experience:

1. Civilian jobs in law enforcement - if you do not want to join a law enforcement agency and go through a police academy, inquire with a police department about what types of civilian employment opportunities they may have. Inquire about doing a ride along.

2. EMS/Fire Department - get your basic EMT license and work or volunteer with your local fire departments or ambulance services. You will learn to work with families under stressful conditions and learn scene protocol for unattended deaths.

3. Check with funeral homes, medical school anatomy labs or organ/tissue donor programs. These agencies may have volunteer or paid positions.

4. Get educated - Take criminal justice, biology, medical terminology or anatomy classes. Get a certified nursing assistant license. Do as much as you can to fill your "tool box" with resources that apply to medicolegal death investigation.

5. Volunteer! Find organizations that offer support for friends and families who have lost loved ones. Examples are the American Cancer Society, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Nar-Anon, hospice, homeless shelters, etc.

Support & Resources

For information, please click on the links below:

How to Talk to Kids about Tough Topics - Sesame Workshop

The Youngest Grievers: A guide for loss & life transitions

Alzheimer's Information and Support

Survivors of Suicide - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Grief Support for Children - The Dougy Center

FEMA Covid Funeral Assistance

Hoarding Services - Fargo-Moorhead Hoarding Coalition

Al-Anon for Families

Grief Support for Families and Friends - National Funeral Directors Association

Planning Funeral Services - National Funeral Directors Association

Veterans Administration

Cass County Veterans Services

Coffee Talk - Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly - 877-238-2282

National Suicide Prevention LifeLine - 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911

Harbor Health Initiative - LGBTQ+ resources

Victims of Crime

North Dakota Crime Victims Compensation

First Link 2-1-1 Directory of Community Resources

North Dakota Poison Control Center

UND Forensic & Autopsy Services - 701-777-1200 (autopsy reports)

Division of Vital Records - 701-328-2360 (death certificates)

Coroner Statutes - NDCC 11-19

Care & Custody of Dead - NDCC 23-06

American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators

International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners

National Association of Medical Examiners

Local Funeral Homes

Boulger – 701-237-6441 - Fargo

Hanson-Runsvold – 701-232-3222 - Fargo

Korsmo – 218-233-1533 - Moorhead

West – 701-282-6699 – West Fargo

Wright – 218-233-1321 – Moorhead

Law Enforcement Agencies:

Cass County Sheriff – 701-241-5800

Clay County Sheriff – 218-299-5151

Fargo Police – 701-235-4493

Moorhead Police – 218-299-5120

North Dakota Highway Patrol – 701-239-8960

West Fargo Police – 701-433-5500

North Dakota County Coroners

Our Staff

CASS COUNTY CORONER

This is an image of Cass County Coroner Kriste Ross

Kriste Ross began her career with the Cass County Coroner's Office in 2001. She received her basic certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators in 2011 and became a board-certified fellow in 2016. Ross became Coroner in October 2020.

DEPUTY CORONER

Head Shot of Darin Haverland

Darin Haverland has worked with the Cass County Coroner's Office since 2014. He received his basic certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators in 2017. Previous to his work as a death investigator, Haverland worked as a paramedic for 30 years.

DEPUTY CORONER

Headshot of Natalie Basta

Natalie Basta has been with the Cass County Coroner's Office since 2019. She graduated with a Master's degree in Anthropology from North Dakota State University in December of 2021 and received certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators in 2022.

DEPUTY CORONER

Head Shot of Jasmine Olsen

Jasmine Olsen has worked with the Cass County Coroner’s Office since 2021 and received certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators in 2024. Prior to her work as a death investigator, she gained experience by working with a local funeral home.

FAQ

Does My Loved One Need an Autopsy?

An autopsy is not necessary in all cases. The circumstances and age of the decedent are significant factors in making that determination. In many cases where the decedent has a documented medical history, an autopsy is not warranted. In cases where the death involves trauma or suspicious circumstances, an autopsy is almost always required. Autopises are performed by UND Forensic & Autopsy Services in Grand Forks, ND.

What If I Do Not Have a Funeral Home Chosen Yet?

Decedents will be taken to and remain at the Cass County morgue until transferred to a funeral home of the family’s choosing. You should notify the funeral home you prefer for services and they will contact the coroner’s office to coordinate transfer to their facility.

What if family members want to view their loved one?

Contrary to what is frequently portrayed on television or in movies, viewings are not conducted at the county morgue unless needed for positive identification. Please contact the funeral home you select to inquire about a viewing at their facility.

Who Signs a Death Certificate and How Do I Get Copies?

If the death is due to natural causes and occurred in a medical facility, the attending doctor will sign the death certificate listing cause and manner of death. If a natural death occurs outside a medical facility, the coroner’s office or medical examiner will sign.

Deaths that are accidental, suicide, homicide or undetermined will be signed by the coroner’s office or medical examiner. A review of medical records will be part of the related investigation.

Death Certificates can be requested through the funeral home. Additional copies can be obtained through the ND Deptartment of Vital Records.

Cass County, ND

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Unattended Deaths in Cass County

Unattended Deaths (Metro Zoom)

Local Funeral Homes

Law Enforcement Agencies:

North Dakota County Coroners

Does My Loved One Need an Autopsy?

What If I Do Not Have a Funeral Home Chosen Yet?

What if family members want to view their loved one?

Who Signs a Death Certificate and How Do I Get Copies?