Once the death has been reported to the Coroner, the Coroner's Officers will then make initial enquiries. This is to see what action needs to be taken. They will contact you to let you know what is going to happen and how long this may take. They will also contact the GP to get medical information or find out whether a doctor would be able to issue a medical certificate. You will be contacted within 24 hours of the first working day after the death.
No post mortem or inquest required
It is possible that following a discussion with the GP, they are able to provide a medical cause of death. If this happens the Coroner will usually not have to investigate further. This may be the case if the person was very elderly and/or had known medical conditions that provide an explanation for the death. The Coroner will allow the GP to issue a medical certificate and they will issue a form to the Registration Service. This document confirms that the Coroner has reviewed the circumstances and is happy for the death to be registered. The family will then get this document from the doctor and will be able to register the death in the usual way. This enquiry is usually dealt with in a day or two.
Inquest required but no post mortem is needed
There are occasions when an inquest will be required but the Coroner does not feel that a post mortem is necessary. This is because the cause of death is clear and undisputed.
This could be:
- where the deceased was previously diagnosed as having Mesothelioma (an industrial disease), during their life and by means of a biopsy
- due to tests, x rays and scans that were conducted in a hospital before the death
If this course of action is suitable, the Coroner's Officer will explain the process. An inquest will then be opened as detailed above. The Coroner will still need formal identification. As well as the registration details in these circumstances.
Post mortem
A post mortem will be required when a doctor is unable to provide a cause of death to the Coroner. It is an examination by a doctor called a pathologist to find out why someone has died. The Coroner's Officers will explain when an examination is needed and why there is a need to do so. They will also be able to tell you where and when this examination is taking place. You have the right to ask a doctor to represent you at the examination but you may have to pay a charge for this. Please discuss this with the Coroner's Officer as soon as possible if this is your wish.
Following a post mortem the Pathologist will provide a short report to the Coroner and there are three possible outcomes.