Information for Families

If the death is referred to the Coroner, please contact your chosen funeral directors and inform them of this.
 
We recommend not booking a date for the funeral until you have discussed this with your Coroner’s Officer. There can be situations where we make a variety of arrangements before your loved one’s body can be released.

The Coroner will have temporary legal control of the body while they are carrying out their investigation. This legal control is important because it means that no other person or organisation can interfere with the Coroner’s independent investigation.
 
Procedures may vary where there is a criminal investigation into the death.

Where possible during the Coroner’s involvement the Coroner will take account of your views, including your preferences, traditions and faith-based needs, particularly in the case of mourning, post-mortem and funerals. Your Coroner’s Officer will be on hand to support you through the process.
 
HM Coroner does not need your consent for a post-mortem, but they will explain why a post-mortem is needed. HM Coroner will consider your faith cultural needs and preferences. Discuss any relevant needs or wishes with the Coroner’s Office as soon as you can.

Suppose you want to repatriate the deceased to another country. In that case, your funeral directors must seek permission from HM Coroner by completing Form 104, “Form of Notice to a Coroner of Intention to Remove a Body out of England”.

If they do not have a copy of this form, you can collect one from the Coroner’s Office. You must also contact the country the deceased will be moving to so you have everything you need to do legally.

If more action is needed for an investigation the Coroner can issue a “Coroner’s certificate of the fact of death” (referred to as a temporary/interim death certificate). This can be issued until the investigation is complete. This is generally used to resolve the deceased’s affairs.

Please speak to your allocated Coroner’s Officer if you require an interim death certificate.