What Does the Coroner Do?

A Coroner is a judicial officer responsible for establishing a person’s identity after death, as well as determining when, where, and how they died. In certain situations, a death must be referred to the Coroner before a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death can be issued. These situations may include:

• When the cause of death is not known
• When the death appears to be due to unnatural causes, such as suspected suicide, homicide, neglect, an accident (including road traffic incidents), or poisoning
• When the death occurs within 24 hours of being admitted to hospital, or during or following surgery or another medical procedure
• When the death happens while in, or immediately after release from, police custody

After reviewing the case, the coroner may decide that:

• No post-mortem examination is required. In this case, the Registrar will be informed using a Form A, allowing a death certificate to be issued; or
• A post-mortem examination is necessary. If so, the coroner will instruct a Pathologist—a specialist doctor—to carry it out

A post-mortem ordered by the coroner is a legal requirement and does not need consent from the family. Where possible, and if arrangements can be made in advance, the family may choose to have their own doctor present at the examination.

Following the post-mortem, the coroner will then decide whether:

• No further steps are needed, and the Registrar will be notified using a Form B; or
• An inquest is required. If this happens, the Coroner’s Officer will explain the next stages of the process

A Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People

Coroners: appointments and how to contact their offices – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary