Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck, an attorney with 22 years’ experience and registered nurse recipient of the international Florence Nightingale Medal, formally announced her plans to run for re-election in 2023.
“I took office in January 2020 and within six weeks, the global pandemic struck. My office had to quickly adapt and I was honored to help shepherd our community through this unprecedented crisis,” said Buck.
Since January 2020, she has overseen the investigation of more than 6,800 death cases and the issuance of over 12,000 cremation permits. In fulfilling her responsibilities, Buck and her staff streamlined operations while working closely with the various agencies, both the state and local health departments, and law enforcement, including the FBI when needed, in identifying decedents and determining the cause and manner of death of all sudden, unexplained and violent deaths in Bucks County.
As an attorney, Buck understands the legalities involved in her job and knew right away all COVID-19-related deaths were statutorily required to be investigated by the Coroner’s Office. In addition to the increased caseload caused by the pandemic, she was responsible for providing guidance to all Bucks County hospitals, long-term care facilities and funeral homes on how to handle the deaths caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Throughout the pandemic, she identified gaps and helped to provide Bucks County funeral directors with personal protective equipment and get them moved up to the first vaccine phase, as they were often forgotten.
As a nurse and the first woman ever elected Coroner in Bucks County, Buck said she believes it’s critical to present a softer, more compassionate side to the office in her interaction with the community, especially with grieving families, and in helping the public understand the vital role of the Coroner’s Office. She credits much of her success to her dedicated and hardworking staff. She and her staff have worked diligently to address the situation she inherited involving Bucks County’s unclaimed decedents.
Since taking office, Buck has collaborated with the community and media to reunite many unclaimed decedents with their loved ones. She and her staff make it possible for many unclaimed veterans and their spouses to be properly laid to rest at Washington Crossing National Cemetery and other national cemeteries in the commonwealth. Finding a proper resting place for the remaining unclaimed in Bucks County continues to be a top priority for her.
“I truly care about what we do and I am not afraid to do what it takes to get the job done,” said Buck.
Other accomplishments include streamlining and improving the operations of the Coroner’s Office through innovative and updated case management system and increasing morgue capacity, while fostering better communications both internally and with outside agencies.
“I want to continue to serve the people of Bucks County compassionately and professionally in helping to get them through what is often the worst time of their lives,” said Buck, who added that her skills as a nurse and attorney helped her successfully navigate the challenges of the job.
Election Day is May 16.
