The Role of the Coroner

The Role of the Coroner

In certain situations the hospital cannot issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, but has to refer the death to the Coroner. The most common circumstances are:

• after an accident or injury • the patient suffered from an industrial disease • during a surgical operation • before recovery from an anaesthetic • the cause of death is unknown • if the cause of death was violent or unnatural for example - suicide, accident, drug or alcohol overdose • if the death was unexplained • if the death occurred in custody or state detention • the patient has been in hospital less than 24 hours

The Coroner will decide whether a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death can be issued or if a post mortem examination is to be carried out. If a post mortem is required it will be carried out by a Pathologist, a specialist doctor whose job is to inform the Coroner, if possible, how the patient died. You do not have the right to object to a Coroners post mortem however, the Coroner will give due consideration to any concerns you may have.

Once the post mortem has taken place, you will be contacted by the Coroners’ Office and advised of the outcome. If the death was of natural cause, the Coroner will notify the Register Office and you will be able to register as normal.

If the cause is not clear from the post mortem, or if the Coroner feels the death requires further inquiry to find out how the person died, a formal investigation will be commenced. If the death is then found to be natural the case will be discontinued.

If the death is unnatural, there will be an inquest. An inquest is a hearing held in public and sometimes with a jury. At an inquest you would be given the opportunity to question witnesses either directly or through a solicitor. The inquest will not delay the funeral arrangements as the Coroner will issue an interim certificate of fact of death which will enable you to start dealing with your loved ones financial affairs.

As soon as the Coroner decides to hold an inquest, it will be opened and adjourned and the final hearing will take place at a later date. This may be some months ahead.

The Coroner for this area is HM Coroner for Cumbria. He is supported by Coroners Officers who you can call to discuss any enquiries.

Coroners Office Tel: 01900 706902