It used to be that when a person died unexpectedly or suddenly, an autopsy was standard procedure to determine what happened.  Now, autopsies are performed in less than 20% of such cases.  The reasons are up for debate, but logic would dictate two primary causes: first, most insurance won’t cover autopsies because  it isn’t a procedure that would prevent or treat a sickness of injury.  This view is incredibly shortsighted, since so many medical discoveries have been the result autopsy findings – who knows if a particular autopsy could identify a new way to detect or treat a previously undetected illness.  The second reason is more disturbing: hospitals are resistant to perform autopsies because they don’t want to uncover possible medical malpractice.  The combination of these two factors make it difficult for families and loved ones to get closure, learn about potential hereditary issues, or to become fully aware of their legal options.