There are a number of circumstances that would lead a medical practitioner (a GP or hospital doctor) or the police to refer a death to the Coroner.
1. If a death is unexpected.
A doctor will report an unexpected or sudden death to the Coroner for more investigation. This may result in a post-mortem being carried out to identify the cause of death. A Coroner can order a post-mortem examination without getting the relative's permission. In these cases, the death cannot be registered until the registrar has received authority from the Coroner to do so.
Any of the following circumstances will result in the Coroner becoming involved, where the death is caused . . .
- due to an accident or injury
- due to industrial disease
- during a surgical operation
- before recovery from an anaesthetic
- due to an unknown cause
- by a sudden and unexplained occurrence, for instance, a sudden infant death (cot death)
2. If a death is suspicious.
If there is any reason to suspect that the death was not due to natural causes, the death may be referred to the Coroner for more investigation.
The coroner will hold an inquest if:
- the death was violent or unnatural
- the death was caused by a reportable industrial disease
- the death occurred in prison
- the cause of death remains uncertain after post-mortem examination
Coroners hold inquests in these circumstances even if the death occurred abroad and the body is returned to Britain.
If an inquest is held, the Coroner must inform the following people:
- the spouse or civil partner of the deceased
- the nearest relative (if different)
- the personal representative (if different from above)
In the case of an inquest, no informant is required to register the death. In due course, the coroner will notify the Registrar of Births and Deaths as to the causes and circumstance of the death. Once the registrar has registered the death on the coroners 'Certificate After Inquest' authority, he or she will write to the next of kin (or personal representative) informing them that registration has taken place. The mailing will include a white form BD8 (which must be filled in and returned to the deceased's local Social Security office) and an application form in order to obtain death certificates.
Because inquests can take months to complete, you can ask the coroner for an Order for Burial (Form 101) or a Certificate for Cremation (Cert E) so that the funeral can take place. This may be done before the inquest is completed, provided the body is not required for further examination.
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