Coroner’s Office

Willie P. Aiken 

Coroner
P.O. Box 614
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Office Phone: 843-547-8296
Fax: 843-547-8299
Contact us via email
Office Hours: Varies
Hospital / Hospice Notification of death, contact number: 843-726-4451

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Willie is one of the owners and operators of Legacy Funeral Home, Inc. He is a native of Jasper county. Willie received his formal education in the public schools of Jasper county. Graduating from Jasper County High School in 2007, and pursuing his interest in the funeral business at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service where he graduated in 2011. Additionally, Willie matriculated at South University where he graduated in 2016, with a Bachelors in Business Administration. His certifications and affiliations include National Board Certified Funeral Director and Embalmers in the states of South Carolina and Georgia. He holds a professional license in the areas of South Carolina Bail and Bonds, Limited Line Surety, and Life Insurance as well as a Commercial Driver's license. He is a member of Happy Home Lodge #125, Hardeeville, South Carolina, the South Carolina Mortician's Association, the National Funeral Directors Mortician Association of Georgia, and the Funeral Service Practitioners Association. Finally, Willie believes a funeral service should be a celebration of life and a time to pay tribute to the legacy of every family he serves.

ABOUT THE CORONER’S OFFICE

The Coroner is a county official who is elected to serve a four-year term. The Coroner has jurisdiction over all deaths investigated by his office. This office communicates daily with law enforcement agencies, families, funeral homes, hospitals insurance companies, attorneys, ministers, news media, and the general public. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CORONERS OFFICE

The Jasper County Coroner’s Offices' main duty is to determine the manner of death of every fatality in Jasper County. The Coroner must investigate each casualty and determine the circumstances whether it be suspicious, violent, or sudden. Certain deaths occurring from natural causes must also be investigated, along with deaths occurring less than 24 hours after admission to a hospital or emergency room. The Coroner signs death certificates, issues burial removal permits, issues cremation permits and conducts inquests.

PROCESS OF INVESTIGATION

The Coroner must ensure that the scene of death and all evidence is preserved. The Coroner must determine through the investigation whether the death was natural, accidental, homicidal, suicidal, or of undetermined causes. The body must be examined and the surroundings of the scene are considered. The Coroner is the Chief Investigating Officer and coordinates the investigation involving multiple investigative agencies including Law Enforcement. Experts from anthropology, toxicology, odontology, entomology, trace evidence collection, and other forensic specialties may assist in the process. The Coroner determines when an autopsy is performed and in many cases must witness the autopsy. It is the Coroners responsibility to ensure that all personal belongings of the decedent are protected and returned to the family. The Coroner is responsible for notifying the relatives and/or loved ones of the unfortunate death and does this in person when at all possible. After the investigation, the body of the deceased will be released for the family to make appropriate arrangements. Each member of the Coroners' Office makes certain that this process is accomplished showing courtesy and sympathy to the loved ones throughout its entirety.

South Carolina Coroner's Association