The coroner may decide that the cause of death is due to natural causes. In this case the doctor will give you a medical certificate to give to the registrar and will issue a certificate to the registrar stating a post-mortem isn't needed.

The coroner may arrange for a post-mortem (examination of a dead body) to determine the cause of death. This will normally happen at a mortuary. The consent of the relatives isn't needed, but they're entitled to be represented at the examination by a doctor and to know when and where the examination will take place.

Documents you'll get

The coroner will release the body for a funeral once the post-mortem examination is finished.

  • If the body is released with no inquest, the coroner will send a form (pink form 100B) to the registrar stating the cause of death.
  • If the body is to be cremated the coroner will give you a certificate for cremation (yellow form 6) so a funeral can take place
  • If an inquest is opened the coroner will issue an interim certificate (yellow form 6)
  • If necessary, the coroner will give you an order for burial (form 3)