Coroners are judicial officers who examine deaths where there are concerns about an unknown cause, violence, unnatural circumstances, or deaths occurring in custody.

Their role is to investigate these cases to determine the identity of the deceased, the location and time of death, and the cause of death. In some instances, a CT scan or, more rarely, a post-mortem examination may be required to help establish the cause of death or provide further details for the investigation. Some deaths necessitate an inquest, which is held in a local court by the Coroner.

Deaths to be Reported to the Coroner

Deaths are reported to the Coroner from various sources, including doctors, police, carers, families, and the medical examiner. The medical examiner is responsible for reporting the following deaths to the Coroner if they haven’t already been reported by another party:

• When there is no doctor available to issue a medical certificate of cause of death or unable to do so within a reasonable time frame.
• When the cause of death is unknown.
• When the cause of death is suspected to be unnatural or suspicious.
• When the death occurs during surgery or before recovery from anesthesia.
• When the death is caused by industrial disease or poisoning.

Non-Invasive Post-Mortem Examinations

A Coroner’s post-mortem is typically conducted using a CT scan (non-invasive post-mortem), similar to those performed in hospitals. In some cases, a more invasive post-mortem may be required for deeper analysis. The Coroner’s officer will consult with the family about the type of post-mortem required and the reasons for it. While the Coroner does not need consent from the next of kin to conduct any post-mortem, family objections will be considered before making a decision. In a few cases, if a CT scan does not determine the cause of death, the Coroner may request a pathologist to perform a limited or full invasive post-mortem.

Copies of the CT/post-mortem report will usually be available to the next of kin and, in cases where an inquest is held, to other relevant parties.

When the Funeral Can Be Held

If a Coroner’s investigation includes a CT scan or invasive post-mortem, and the death is determined to be due to natural causes, the Coroner will conclude their inquiry, and the body will be released to the executors (if there is a will), administrators (if there is no will), or the next of kin. The death should then be registered with the Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths within 7 days, after which the funeral can take place. A registrar cannot register the death or issue a death certificate until the body has been released by the Coroner.

If an inquest is required, the death cannot be registered until the inquest is concluded. In this case, the Coroner will issue an interim certificate to allow the funeral to take place and the deceased’s financial matters to be arranged.

Inquest

An inquest is a court inquiry into:

• Who has died.
• When and where the death occurred.
• How the death occurred, meaning the cause of death.

A Coroner’s inquest does not address issues of blame, negligence, or whether a crime has been committed. The format of the inquest will depend on the circumstances of the death. In some cases, the family may prefer the Coroner to review the case based on submitted documents without witnesses present. In more complex cases, factual and expert witnesses may be called to provide testimony, and lawyers may represent the interested parties. If any person does not have legal representation, the Coroner will ensure all proceedings are explained clearly so that everyone involved is on equal footing. Family members can attend the inquest and hear all the evidence. Inquests are public hearings, and members of the press can attend; however, the Coroner cannot exclude anyone except for contempt of court.

At the end of the inquest, the Coroner will summarize the evidence and provide a conclusion, formerly known as a verdict. Common conclusions include natural causes, accident, drug-related death, suicide, misadventure (an unintended outcome), or industrial disease, among others. In some cases, the Coroner may provide a narrative conclusion, summarizing the facts based on the evidence presented in court.

Taking the Body Abroad or Bringing It Back to the Country

If you wish to take the body abroad, you must notify the Coroner in writing. The Coroner will then provide the necessary documentation, unless there is a reason or objection to transporting the body.

If you wish to return the body to England or Wales, the Coroner must be involved if the cause of death is unknown or the death was unnatural in any way. In certain cases, an inquest may be required. You may contact your local Coroner’s Office for advice.