If you ever need to arrange a funeral for a loved one, there are certain officials you may come in contact with. You’ll have to speak to a GP, possibly a funeral director, and you may need to involve a Coroner.
We’ve written this short guide to help you understand the role a Coroner might play in the death of a loved one.
In it, you’ll find out why a death might be referred to a Coroner, what they do, and the effect they might have on any funeral arrangements you’re making.
What is a Coroner?
A Coroner is an official appointed to investigate certain types of deaths. Their role is to review evidence presented by witnesses and experts to determine the causes or circumstances of someone’s death.
They are appointed by a local authority but are independent judicial office holders. Generally, a Coroner is a lawyer. However, some have a medical qualification on top of their legal training.
Why would a death be referred to the Coroner?
A Coroner investigates any unexpected deaths. When a death is reported to a Coroner in Engalnd, Wales and Northern Ireland, they make whatever inquiries are necessary to find out the cause of death. This might include ordering a post-mortem examination, obtaining witness statements and medical records, or holding an inquest.
A death is reported in the following situations:
- If a doctor did not treat the deceased during their last illness
- If a doctor did not see or treat the deceased for the condition from which they died within the previous 28 days
- If a person’s death was sudden, violent, or unnatural such as an accident or suicide
- If a person was murdered
- If the cause of death was an industrial disease of the lungs such as asbestosis
- If the death occurred in any other circumstances that may require investigation
If a person was in hospital when they died, the Coroner would only be informed if negligence or misadventure is suspected, the patient died before a provisional diagnosis was made, or the patient died as the result of the administration of an anaesthetic.
The police inform the Coroner when they find a dead body, the death is unexplained or unexpected, or if the circumstances surrounding the death are suspicious.
In all the above situations, it’s not possible to register a death unless the Coroner determines that the cause of death is clear.
What does a Coroner do?
The Coroner’s role is to find out how, when, and where a person has died. This information is needed for official records and the benefit of the bereaved.
The Coroner might decide that the cause of death is clear. In this case, they’ll issue a certificate to the registrar stating that there is no need for a post-mortem examination, and you’ll be able to register the death.
On the other hand, if the Coroner considers the cause of death or the circumstances surrounding it unclear, they may decide that a post-mortem examination is needed.
Investigations
When a death is reported to a Coroner, they will first gather information to investigate whether a death was due to natural causes and if a doctor can certify the medical cause of death.
The police will be asked to gather information about the death. This might involve speaking to the deceased’s family, anyone caring for the deceased, or those present when the death occurred.
If the death is due to natural causes or a doctor can certify the cause, the body will be released after the doctor has certified the cause of death. The family can then proceed with making the funeral arrangements.
Post mortem examinations
If a doctor cannot certify the medical cause of death, then a Coroner will investigate the death and may order a post-mortem examination.
The first step is for a member of the family to formally identify the body. They might have to do this at the place where the death has occurred or at the mortuary before a post mortem examination.
It is usual for relatives to be told a post mortem is needed unless it’s not possible or it would delay the examination. Consent from the next of kin is not a requirement. However, they have the right to be represented at the examination by a doctor of their choice.
Post mortems are carried out by a pathologist. This is a doctor who is an expert in determining the cause of death. The examination takes place as soon as possible after death, with minimal delay.
The pathologist examines the body externally and internally. Major organs are removed and examined but are returned to the body afterwards. Small tissue samples are retained for further examination and tests. They are stored in special cabinets as part of the medical pathology records and in line with the Human Tissue Act 2004.
The pathologist will provide preliminary results to the Coroner very quickly. Final Coroner inquest reports are usually ready sometime later after any further tests. Once the final reports are complete, they will be sent to the Coroner and a copy forwarded to the deceased’s doctor.
Coroner’s inquests
A Coroner’s inquest is an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a death. Its purpose is to find out who the deceased was and how, when, and where they died so the details needed for their death to be registered can be determined. It is not a trial.
The Coroner doesn’t decide or appear to decide any question of civil or criminal liability, apportion guilt, or attribute blame.
Coroner’s most common conclusions
The following examples are some of the most common Coroner inquest conclusions:
- Death by natural causes
- Death by misadventure
- Accidental death
- Lawful killing
- Unlawful killing
- Suicide
- Occupational disease
- Drug dependence
- Non-dependent drug abuse
- Attempted abortion
- Self-induced abortion
- Disaster
- Stillbirth
- Self-neglect
- Lack of care/neglect
- An open conclusion
- A narrative conclusion
Can you have the funeral before the inquest?
A Coroner can give permission for registration of the death and release the body for the funeral to go ahead as soon as they are satisfied that all necessary physical evidence has been collected from the deceased. The Coroner will open the inquest and then adjourn it until all other evidence has been collected, which might take up to 6 months.
The Coroner’s office should contact you at least once every three months while you’re waiting for the inquest. You can also call them if you want an update.
Things you can do while waiting for the inquest
If a Coroner decides an inquest is necessary, it doesn’t mean all practical issues have to be delayed. Investigations for inquests can sometimes take weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the case.
As well as authorising a funeral, the coroner can also issue a Certificate of the Fact of Death. This is often referred to as an interim certificate. You can use it to notify asset holders and other organisations of the death and make an application for probate.
Proceeding with the funeral arrangements
Once the Coroner has finished their investigations, the information is forwarded to the registrar of births and deaths to allow the death to be registered. After that, the body will be released, and the family will be able to make arrangements for the funeral.
Losing a loved one is a very emotional time for those left behind. However, knowing a little more about the process puts your mind at ease and helps the grieving process. See what you can do when someone dies.