Reporting a death to the coroner

A death may be reported to the coroner when: 

• the death was unexplained or where there are suspicious circumstances, or when the cause of death is unknown
• the death may be due to an industrial injury or disease, or due to an accident, violence, negligence or abortion, or to any kind of poisoning
• the death occurred in police custody, in prison or in an institution of some type
• the deceased has not been attended to by a doctor during their lifetime
• the death occurred during an operation or before recovery from the effect of an anaesthetic

Who can report a death to the coroner

Usually a death in any of the above circumstances is reported to the coroner by the police, or by a doctor called to the death. It may also be reported by a doctor who was treating the deceased if the death was unexpected. 

Police and hospital staff can refer a death to the coroner by using the coroner's online referral form.

Once any death has been reported to the coroner, a registrar cannot register the death until the coroner's enquiries or investigations have been completed.