The Coroner
The coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating deaths in the following situations.
- The deceased was not attended by a doctor during the last illness or the doctor treating the deceased had not seen him or her after death or within the 14 days before the death.
- The death was violent or unnatural or occurred under suspicious circumstances
- The cause of death is unknown or uncertain
- The death occurred while the patient was undergoing an operation or did not recover from the anaesthetic
- The death was caused by industrial disease
- The death occurred in prison or in police custody.
The coroner may arrange a post mortem examination. The relatives consent is not required, but they are entitled to be represented at the examination by a doctor.
If the examination shows that the death was due to natural causes, the coroner will issue notification to the registrar and the family can register the death. He will issue authority to the funeral director for a cremation, where appropriate.
If an inquest is required, the coroner will inform the family direct. Further information about inquests can be obtained from the register office or from the coroner direct who can be contacted via your local police station.
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