Approximately half of all deaths in England and Wales are referred to the Coroner. 

The Notification of Deaths Regulations (2019) sets out the deaths which must be referred to the Coroner, summarised below;

a)  there is a suspicion that the person’s death was due to;

b)  it is suspected that the person’s death was unnatural
c)  the cause of death is unknown
d)  the person died while in custody or in state detention
e)  there is no attending medical practitioner required to sign a death certificate (MCCD)
f)  the attending medical practitioner is not available within a reasonable time to sign a MCCD
g)  the identity of the deceased cannot be ascertained

For further information please refer to the following;

The Death Notification Regulations 2019;

Ministry of Justice Guidance;

Chief Coroner’s Guidance;

If you are unsure why a death has been reported to the Coroner please contact our office.