Upon the filing of a claim for compensation for death from an occupational disease when an autopsy is necessary accurately and scientifically to ascertain and determine the cause of death, the autopsy shall be ordered by the commission. The commission may designate a duly licensed physician, who is a specialist in such examination, to perform or attend the autopsy and to certify his findings thereon. Such findings shall be filed with the commission and shall be a public record. The commission also may exercise such authority on its own motion or on application made to it at any time by any party in interest, in regard to the cause of death or the existence of any occupational disease. All proceedings for compensation shall be suspended upon refusal of a claimant or claimants to permit such autopsy when so ordered, and no compensation shall be payable during the continuance of such refusal.