When HM Coroner becomes involved – what you need to know
There are a number of reasons for HM Coroner to become involved in a death. If this happens to you, don’t panic. The procedures will be fully explained by the Coroner’s officer.
The Coroner’s contracted firm of funeral directors will take the deceased to the Coroner’s mortuary, under the care of the Coroner. You do not have to use the contracted firm for the funeral itself, and it is best to inform your chosen funeral director of the situation.
Why does the coroner get involved?
The coroner gets involved in cases where the cause of death is sudden, unexplained, or uncertain. Their role is to investigate and determine the cause of death, ensuring there are no suspicious circumstances. This process ensures that all deaths are properly recorded and any potential legal issues are addressed. The coroner’s involvement helps provide closure for families and maintains the integrity of public health records.
What happens if the Coroner becomes involved when the death was expected?
What happens if the Coroner becomes involved when the death was unexpected?
What happens when there is to be a cremation?
The Coroner will issue a Form 6 to the funeral director, instead of the “green” Certificate for Burial or Cremation that would otherwise have been issued by the Registrar.
What happens when there is to be a burial?
The Coroner will issue a ‘Coroner’s Burial Order’ directly to the funeral director.
How long does a coroner investigation take?
The length of a coroner investigation can vary depending on the complexity of the case. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. In some cases, if further investigations or post-mortem examinations are required, it might extend to a few months. The coroner aims to complete the investigation as promptly as possible while ensuring a thorough and accurate determination of the cause of death. Families are usually kept informed throughout the process.
You can contact your local funeral director at any stage during the coroner’s process to start funeral arrangements, the funeral date cannot be booked until the coroner has concluded their investigation.
Once all the paperwork has been issued by the coroner to the registrar, you can then make an appointment to register the death and arrange copies of the ‘Certified Copies of the entry of Death’ from the registrar.
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