Deaths referred to the coroner
Deaths referred to the coroner must be registered. When a death has been referred to the coroner, it may not be possible to register it straight away.
If the coroner decides the death was due to natural causes and no post-mortem or further investigation is needed, normal procedures will apply. The doctors practice or medical examiner’s office, and the coroner, will issue paperwork to the registrars. We will contact you to make the appointment.
If there has been a post-mortem, the Coroners' Office will discuss the results with you. They will tell you if you can register. They will also issue paperwork needed to the registrars.
If the coroner's enquiries are going to delay the registration, the coroner will issue you an interim death certificate. This can be used to sort financial affairs and arrange a funeral, and can be used until the time the death can be formally registered. The Coroners' Office will keep you informed about their investigation. They will tell you when it is possible to register the death.
If an inquest is to be held, the coroner will send the information from the court to the register office. This will be after the inquest is concluded. It allows the death to be registered after the inquest. You will not have to come to the Register Office in person to complete the registration. When this action is complete, you can order a copy of the death certificate online. The death certificate can be ordered from 10 days after the conclusion of the inquest.