The provision of an autopsy service in Ireland is an essential part of patient safety, quality improvement in healthcare, and bereavement support for families. This position paper from the Faculty of Pathology, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, provides an overview of the current structure of the autopsy service in Ireland and the provision of this service, including both coroner-directed and consented (in-hospital) autopsies. It addresses the obstacles and challenges threatening the continued provision of this service, including specialist areas of autopsy practice and the training of histopathologists of the future. The paper provides recommendations for practical solutions to the problems identified in the conclusions.