Coroner’s procedure
When a death is referred to the coroner, what a post-mortem or inquest involves, and how this can affect funeral timing.
When is a death referred to the coroner?
There are several circumstances that may lead to a death being reported to the coroner. This is a legal requirement and is usually fulfilled by either the deceased’s doctor, hospital staff or police.
- The cause of death is unknown
- The death was violent or unnatural
- The death was sudden and unexplained
- The person who died was not visited by a medical practitioner during their final illness
- A medical certificate isn’t available
- The person who died wasn’t seen by the doctor who signed the medical certificate wasn’t seen by a doctor in the last 28 days before death or after they died
- A death occurred during an operation or before the person came out of anaesthetic
- The medical certificate suggests the death may have been caused by an industrial disease or industrial poisoning
This is a legal requirement and is usually fulfilled by either the deceased’s doctor, hospital staff or police. Doctors may be forced to report a death to the Coroner even if they know the cause of death, in these cases it is common for the Coroner to give the doctor permission to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and no further action is required.
What is a post-mortem?
A post-mortem is an examination of the deceased to determine a cause of death.
What is an inquest?
The Coroner must hold an inquest if the cause of death is still unknown.
How long before the funeral can take place?
Depending on the decision the Coroner makes, it can be quite hard to judge how long proceedings will take. We will be able to liaise with the Coroner’s Office on your behalf.
Related reading: First Concerns · Registration · Planning The Funeral · Our Leeds Guide