Deaths are reported to the Coroner electronically, mainly by doctors and the police.  The Coroner may direct a Coroner's Officer to conduct some preliminary enquiries in order to decide what further action is required.  A change in legislation on 9th September 2024 intruduced two distinct pathways;  a death will either be investigated by the Coroner or referred to medical pratictioners for death certification with Medical Examiner scrutiny.   

You can expect to be contacted by a Coroner's Officer either on the same day the death report is received or the following working day.  

We understand that families can be concerned about the process and especially whether it will delay their funeral.  Every effort is made to complete the Coroner’s enquiries as quickly as possible.  Please feel free to talk to a Coroner’s Officer if you have any questions (contact details can be found in the contact us section).

The following sections set out some of the possible courses of action the Coroner may take.