# Wis. Stat. § 157.05: Autopsy

> Wisconsin · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.05

## Section

- **Citation:** Wis. Stat. § 157.05
- **Heading:** Autopsy
- **Jurisdiction:** Wisconsin
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WI Code / Chapter 157 / Section 157.05

## Text

Consent for a licensed physician to conduct an autopsy on the body of a deceased person shall be deemed sufficient when given by whichever one of the following assumes custody of the body for purposes of burial: Father, mother, husband, wife, child, guardian, next of kin, domestic partner under ch. 770 , or in the absence of any of the foregoing, a friend, or a person charged by law with the responsibility for burial. If 2 or more such persons assume custody of the body, the consent of one of them shall be deemed sufficient.

History: 1979 c. 110 ; 1985 a. 316 s. 14 ; Stats. 1985 s. 157.05; 2009 a. 28 .

## Nearby sections

- [Wis. Stat. § 157.01 Rules for preparation, transportation and disposition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.01.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.02 Disposal of unclaimed corpses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.02.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.03 Restrictions on use of bodies for anatomical purposes; embalming such bodies; delivery of bodies to relatives.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.03.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.04 Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.04.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.05 Autopsy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.05.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.06 Anatomical gifts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.06.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.07 Platting.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.07.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.08 Conveyances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.08.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.10 Alienation, disposition, and use of cemetery lots and mausoleum spaces.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.10.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.11 Improvement and care of cemetery lots and grounds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.11.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.12 Mausoleums.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.12.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.19 Deposit and investment of care funds and preneed trust funds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.19.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.50 Municipal cemeteries.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.50.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.055 Disposal of human remains during state of emergency relating to public health.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.055.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.05. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.