Medical Examiner Jon Thogmartin decides when an autopsy is required under state law, Pellan said.

On Monday, attorney George Felos announced that Michael Schiavo wanted an autopsy performed to silence critics who have accused him of planning to have Terri Schiavo's remains cremated to cover up wrongdoing.

``Claims have been made there is some motive behind the cremation,'' Felos said.

Pellan said Thogmartin had already decided that Terri Schiavo's situation requires him to perform an autopsy when another Schiavo lawyer called Monday to find out whether that was the case.

``There have been allegations that this is not a natural death,'' Pellan said.

Also, under state law, the medical examiner has the discretion of performing an autopsy when a body is to be cremated.

Michael Schiavo has obtained court permission to do so over the objection of Bob and Mary Schindler.

The Schindlers fought a seven-year legal battle with Schiavo over his desire to have his wife's feeding tube removed. They also objected on religious grounds to Schiavo's plans to cremate their daughter.

``Cremation is a very final form of disposition, and people want to make sure'' it is not done to cover up wrongdoing, Pellan said.

Michael Schiavo attorney Deborah Bushnell said her client wanted an autopsy performed when she called Monday to find out if that was Thogmartin's plan, Pellan said.

Felos and Bushnell could not be reached for comment.