HM Coroner

Deaths referred to the coroner

Expected deaths

If death is expected, you should contact the doctor who cared for the deceased during their illness. If the doctor knows the cause of death, they will give you:

• a medical certificate that shows the cause of death (this is free of charge and will be addressed to the registrar)
• a formal notice that says that the doctor has signed the medical certificate (this tells you how to register the death)

Unexpected deaths

If the person’s death is unexpected or you discover a body, you should contact the police. They will attend and can help find and notify the deceased’s next of kin and usual doctor. The coroner will be notified if:

• the cause of death is apparently unknown; or
• the cause of death is apparently unnatural; or
• death occurs in state custody (police, prison or mental health detention)

The coroner may decide that there needs to be a post mortem examination, and then may later open an inquest.

After a death is referred to the coroner

When a death has been referred to the coroner, the coroner’s officer will try to call the nearest relative of the deceased (whose contact details have been passed to the coroner by the police or hospital) on the working day following the referral, to explain what will happen next. However, this is not always possible. Sometimes demand is very high.

If you're particularly anxious to be dealt with quickly by the coroner’s office, tell the police or hospital staff who are going to refer the death, and explain why.

Registering the death

The requirement to register the death within 5 days does not apply. However, the death should still be registered as quickly as possible.  

• if the coroner decides the death was due to natural causes, you will need to follow the normal procedure for registering the death
• if a post mortem examination reveals a natural cause of death, the coroner’s office will email the appropriate document direct to the register office
• if an inquest is held, the coroner will send the information about the deceased direct from the court to the register office, so you do not have to register the death

You will need to contact the register office to get certified copies of the death certificate, which are available at a set fee, details of which are available from the registrar.