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Sudden Death and the Coroner

  • Last modified date:
    21 February 2007

Publications for the next-of-kin and their families, including their immediate rights with respect to post mortems, following a sudden death where a coroner is involved.

Booklet published by Victims' Voice

Sudden death and the coroner: coroner's post mortem and inquests
Information for suddenly bereaved people

The Victims' Voice booklet adds to the Home Office leaflet When Sudden Death Occurs, which alerts next of kin to their immediate rights with respect to post mortems and indicates what may follow a coroner's involvement. Written from the perspective of suddenly bereaved people, the Victims' Voice Sudden Death and the Coroner booklet information is based on questions known to arise when coroners' enquiries are underway.

Because of the urgent need for suddenly bereaved people to have information about post mortems, the Home Office leaflet When Sudden Death Occurs should be given to them as soon as possible. Victims' Voice also recommend that their booklet Sudden Death and the Coroner be provided at the same time, as a back-up for the difficult explanations needed when suddenly bereaved people are not able to 'take in' information and need to have written information available.

The Victims' Voice booklet deals specifically with the Coroner Service and can be used in all sudden death cases. The specialist information and guidance which may be needed when the deaths occur in particular circumstances should be obtained from the specialist sudden death organisations and a list of contacts for these is given in the booklet Section 25.

All enquiries for free of charge copies should be made to:

Post:
Victims' Voice
PO Box 110
Chippenham SN14 7BQ

Enquiries and comments about the information provided will be welcomed, particularly concerning any issues raised by bereaved people, or those supporting them, which it may be appropriate to deal with when reprinting the booklet.

In June 2003, the Members of the Review of Coroner Services reported to the Home Secretary. In dealing with the provision of information, their report refers* to the Dept of Works and Pensions guide D49 'What to do after a death in England and Wales' (funeral, probate etc) and adds "There is, too, a good short leaflet from the Home Office. (When Sudden Death Occurs) Another valuable source of information and advice is Sudden Death and The Coroner - Coroner's Post Mortem and Inquests, published by Victims' Voice".
*Chapter 12 paragraph 20 page 145. Death Certification and Investigation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: The Report of a Fundamental Review

Any major changes to the Coroner Service, after consideration of the recommendations of the Fundamental Review, will need Parliamentary approval. This means implementation of major changes is not expected before 2006. Some procedural changes could be made before then and the Victims' Voice booklet Sudden Death and the Coroner will be revised if necessary and any changes alerted.

Leaflet published by the Home Office

When sudden death occurs: coroners and inquests

This leaflet is available in

  • Welsh
  • Bengali
  • Chinese
  • Gujerati
  • Hindi
  • Punjabi
  • Urdu.

Coroners Section
Home Office
5th Floor Allington Tower
19 Allington Street
LONDON SW1E 5EB

Copies can be requested by email

or fax: 020 7035 5525
It may also be downloaded from the link below

Additional links

Child Bereavement Charity

National UK charity providing specialised training and support for professionals to help them respond to the needs of bereaved families. Resources and information for bereaved children and families as well as the doctors, nurses, midwives, teachers, police, emergency services and voluntary sector support services.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Charity providing information to anyone who has been affected by a death . Also offers education, support, information and publications to anyone supporting bereaved people.

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