42 CFR § 35.16 - Autopsies and other post-mortem operations.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s35.16"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 35.16 - Autopsies and other post-mortem operations."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "35.16"
section_name: "Autopsies and other post-mortem operations."
chapter_name: "PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "MEDICAL CARE AND EXAMINATIONS"
part_number: "35"
part_name: "HOSPITAL AND STATION MANAGEMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Sec. 215, 58 Stat. 690, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 216, sec. 321, 53 Stat. 695, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 248, unless otherwise noted."
regulatory_source: "21 FR 9830, Dec. 12, 1956, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "35"
---


# 35.16 Autopsies and other post-mortem operations.

Autopsies, or other post-mortem operations, including removal of tissue for transplanting, may be performed on the body of a deceased patient only by direction of the officer in charge and only if consented to in writing by a person authorized under the law of the State in which the station or hospital is located to permit an autopsy or such other post-mortem operation under the circumstances of the particular death involved. Restrictions or limitations imposed by the person consenting thereto on the extent of the autopsy or other post-mortem operation shall be observed. Documents embodying consent shall be made a part of the clinical record.

[25 FR 6331, July 6, 1960]