H.M. Coroner
There are various reasons why a death may have to be reported to the Coroner by a Doctor or by the Police. First of all, do not forget that the Coroner and his / her officers are working in your interest. The Coroner's duty is to establish the cause of death when a Doctor is unable to certify. In this case the Coroner's officers will want to speak to the relatives and obtain such information that they require. They will then inform the relatives when they will be able to go to the Registrar.
If the wish is for burial then the Registrar will issue a green certificate in the usual manner. However if the wish is for cremation no green certificate is issued by the Registrar as we receive a form direct from the coroner.
When a Coroner decides that an Inquest is necessary, he/she will issue forms as required for burial or cremation and will register the death. Relatives will then only need to attend at the Registrar's office if requiring copies. The Coroner's office will keep in touch with relatives and advise them of what is happening and we are on hand to assist. Usually the Coroner's procedure takes very little time, perhaps two or three days, but on some occasions the funeral may have to be delayed. |
