Information for the Bereaved

In this section you will find infomation to help you understand why your loved one's death has been referred to the Coroner. About post mortem examinations, organ donation and the repatriation of bodies.

A leaflet for the bereaved explaining about the coroner service is also available here 

Emotional and practical support to families and witnesses attending inquests can also be found on the Coroners' Courts Support Service website here.

• What you need to know if you are attending the Coroners Courts

  Timings Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled inquest hearing. This will give time for the court usher to meet you, take your details and answer any questions you may have. Changes to hearing timings will be notified to Interested Persons...

• Why are deaths reported to the Coroner?

  Why was my relative’s death reported to the Coroner? About half of all deaths are not reported to the Coroner at all because a doctor is able to provide a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (this is a document which allows the death to be registered)...

• If you have any concerns

  If you have concerns or complaints about the circumstances surrounding a death If you have concerns about the circumstances of your relative's death please let us know. The concerns you raise may provide valuable background information for the Coroner's inquiries...

• Post Mortem Examinations

  What is a post-mortem examination? A post-mortem examination is a medical examination of a body after death in order to find out the cause of death. The Coroner will never order a post-mortem examination without careful consideration...

• Organ Donation

  The law requires Coroners to ensure that organ donation does not compromise their investigation into the cause of a death. If a death is reported to the Coroner, organ donation can only take place with their express permission...

• Taking bodies out of England and Wales (repatriation)

  Anyone wanting to move a body out of England and Wales (including to Scotland) must have authority from a Coroner. This applies even if the death was completely natural and did not need to be reported to the Coroner before registration...