Coroner's role

Once a death is reported, the coroner begins the process of investigating the circumstances of the death to establish the identity of the deceased, how, when and where they died, and the medical cause of death. This may involve an autopsy and in some cases an inquest, resulting in the coroner making findings and, potentially, recommendations for how to prevent similar types of death occurring again.

Below are links to information about the various steps in the coroner’s process.

Reportable deaths

What is a reportable death and who should report them

Coronial investigations

The steps in a coronial investigation after a death is reported

Autopsies (post mortem)

Types of autopsies and testing and what to do if you have concerns about, tissue and organ donation, sperm retrieval, body release for funeral and the autopsy report

Death certificates

How to get a copy of a death certificate after an autopsy

Inquests

When an inquest must be held, what happens at inquests, who attends and how to request one

Witnesses

The role of a witness in a coroner’s inquest

Findings information

What the coroner must find, what they can and can’t do, where they’re published and what to do if you disagree

Coronial recommendations

Recommendations on deaths relating to public health and safety, administration of justice or ways to prevent deaths occurring