Post-mortem

If the death was known to be caused by a natural illness but the doctors wish to know more about the cause of death, they may ask the relatives for permission to carry out a post-mortem examination (also know as an autopsy). This is a medical examination of the body which can find out more about the cause of death and should not delay the funeral. Formal written consent is required.

Coroner's post-mortem

The coroner may arrange for a post-mortem examination of the body. The consent of the relatives is not needed, but they are entitled to be represented at the examination by a doctor, provided that does not unduly delay its examination. When relatives have told the coroner they wish to be represented, the coroner will, if at all possible, tell them when and where the examination will be.

If the death occurs in hospital, the coroner will arrange for the examination to be carried out by a pathologist other than one employed at or connected with that hospital, if a relative asks the coroner to do so and if it does not cause an undue delay and the coroner is satisfied that it is necessary do so.

The removal of a body from the place of death to the mortuary for post-mortem examination will usually be paid for by the coroner. The relatives may choose the funeral director.

However, in some areas a funeral director will be appointed by the coroner to remove the body from the place of death to the hospital mortuary. The relatives can then choose a funeral director to carry out the funeral, once the coroner has released the body.

If the post-mortem shows that death was due to natural causes, the coroner may issue a notification (pink form 100B) which gives the cause of death so that the death can be registered. The coroner usually sends the form direct to the registrar but may give it to you to deliver.

If the body is to be cremated the coroner will give you the Certificate E for Cremation (yellow form 102) which allows cremation to take place.

If an inquest is opened the coroner will issue an interim certificate as to the fact of death. A full death certificate cannot be issued until the inquest has been completed. See our forms and certificates page.

A Code of practice, forms and information leaflets can be downloaded from the Department of Health website.

Documents

To view these documents you might need to download some software. Visit our downloads page for more information.

	Coroner's charter - this charter tells you what standards of performance are to be expected in the coroner service and what to do if something goes wrong. File format Adobe Acrobat (pdf) - 74.5KB
	Post mortems - guidance notes and explanation of the law for pathologists relating to post mortems carried out on behalf of the coroner. File format Adobe Acrobat (pdf) - 16.5KB

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