A death is referred to a coroner if it was sudden, unexplained, or occurred under certain circumstances such as an accident, suicide, or a crime. The coroner's role is to investigate the cause of death when a doctor cannot issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

A coroner's investigation seeks to determine the cause of death when it is unclear or occurred in unusual circumstances. This may involve a post-mortem and additional tests. The investigation may conclude with the issuance of paperwork to allow the death to be registered, or it may proceed to an inquest if more detailed examination is needed.

In the UK, an unexpected death is defined as any death that occurs without a known medical reason, or under circumstances like an accident or crime. These deaths are reported to a coroner, who then investigates the cause.

Instead of taking the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Registrar, the Coroner’s Office liaises with them directly and gives them the information they require.

If the funeral is to be a cremation, it will not be necessary for you to collect a green form from a registrar: instead, the Coroner’s Office will send paperwork directly to your nominated funeral director. This is why the Coroner’s Officer will need to know the name of your chosen funeral director.

An interim death certificate is issued by the coroner when the full registration of death is delayed due to an ongoing inquest or investigation. It allows families to manage certain legal and financial affairs until the final death certificate is available.

Unfortunately, it is a legal necessity in the UK to know the cause of someone’s death. If the death is unexpected, a post-mortem may be the only way to determine the cause of death. If the person who has died was being treated for any illness, it is important to tell the Coroner’s Officer as soon as you are able as the doctor may be able to complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which means no post-mortem is necessary.

If you let us know about the death - and let the Coroner’s Officer know we are dealing with the funeral for you - we will liaise with the Coroner’s Office. As soon as the investigations are completed, the Coroner’s Office will let us know the paperwork has been sent to release the body of the person from where they are being held. We can then go and collect them. We are not able to collect the person who has died until the Coroner’s Office has told us the body is released.