Deaths referred to the Coroner

Why are some deaths reported to the Coroner?

A death is referred to the coroner when someone dies unexpectedly, violently or if the death is unnatural. This can also happen in cases where the cause of death cannot be determined by the doctor who attended to them or if there are any concerns about their treatment in the lead up to the death.

What happens when a death is referred to the Coroner?

• The coroner will assign you a case officer who will liaise with you
• The coroner will decide whether a post-mortem is necessary
• If a post mortem is not necessary and the cause of death is confirmed, the coroner will sign a Form A, so the death can be registered the normal way
• When a post mortem takes place, the coroner will issue a form B which allows the body of your relative to be released and for the funeral to take place. Often they are waiting for toxicology results, in which case an interim death certificate will raised, until the cause of death can be formally confirmed and the death registered.

You will need to give the coroner the details of your chosen funeral director so they can send the necessary release paperwork so your relative can be collected.

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For more detailed information about what happens when a death is referred to the Coroner see our longer article on The Coroner Process.