The Coroner of England & Wales

The Coroner of England and Wales

In England and Wales, the Coroner is an independent judicial officer responsible for investigating certain types of deaths, particularly those that are sudden, unexpected, or occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances.

Please note: Different procedures apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What Does the Coroner Do?

The Coroner’s duties include:

Investigating all sudden, violent, or unnatural deaths.
Authorising the removal of a deceased person from England or Wales to another country.
Approving documentation for a deceased person who has died abroad and is being repatriated to England or Wales.

The Coroner’s investigation helps to establish the cause of death and determine whether an inquest is necessary.

When Is a Death Reported to the Coroner?

A death must be reported to the Coroner in any of the following situations:

The deceased was not seen by a doctor during their last illness.
The deceased was not seen by the certifying doctor within 14 days prior to death.
The cause of death is unknown or uncertain.
The death was unnatural, or resulted from accident, violence, neglect, or occurred in suspicious circumstances.

For a full list of reportable circumstances, please refer to the link at the end of this page.

What Happens After a Death Is Reported to the Coroner?

Once a death is reported, the deceased comes under the full jurisdiction of the Coroner until the investigation is complete. The Coroner will then issue the necessary authorisations for burial or cremation.

The Coroner may appoint a Funeral Director to transfer the deceased to the local Coroner’s mortuary.
This removal is arranged at no cost to the family.
However, families are not obliged to use the Coroner’s Funeral Director for the funeral itself.
You are free to choose your own trusted Funeral Director, such as Southall Funeral Service, to arrange and carry out the funeral according to your wishes.

If you are unsure whether a death needs to be reported to the Coroner or you need help understanding the process, our experienced team at Southall Funeral Service is here to support you. We can liaise with the Coroner’s Office on your behalf and guide you every step of the way.

The Role of The Coroner