Why are deaths reported ?

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). 

There are strict rules governing when a doctor may do this and these rules are in place to safeguard patients and ensure that death reporting and registration is accurate.

If there is no doctor available who can issue this certificate, the death must be reported to the Coroner.

There are several other types of death that must always be reported to a Coroner:

• Deaths that may be linked to medical treatment, surgery or anaesthetic
• Deaths that may be linked to an accident, however long ago it happened
• Where there are any suspicious circumstances or violence involved in the death
• Deaths that may be linked to drugs or medications, whether prescribed or illicit
• Where there is a possibility that the person took their own life
• Deaths that may be linked to the person's occupation, for example if they have been exposed to asbestos 
• Where the person was in custody or detained under the Mental Health Act, even if their death was due to natural causes

If you are still unclear why your relative's death has been reported, please call us and a Coroner’s Officer will discuss it with you.

Reports are made mainly by doctors and the Police and when a report is received it is given to the Coroner who will review the information and decide what should be done and whether they have a duty to investigate the death.