Coroners and Inquest
These pages provide information for the next-of-kin and their families in the hours and days immediately following a sudden death. It is not intended to be a full explanation of coroner law. This guidance applies to England and Wales only.
If the death is one which the coroner must investigate:
Organ donation
If you wish to consider organ donation, you will need immediate advice. This can be sought from a hospital or doctor, or from the coroner's officer. The coroner must be told and must agree before organs can be removed. In some cases, organ donation may not be possible for medical reasons, or because of the delays when a death has to be investigated.
If you are the next-of-kin, you have the right:
- to be told in advance the date, time and place of the post mortem examination unless this is not practicable or would unduly delay the examination;
- to have your choice of medical representative present at the post mortem;
- to be told the date, time and place of the inquest if one is needed;
- to question witnesses at the inquest, or have a legal representative to do so on your behalf.
You may also:
- ask the Coroner for reasonable access to see the body, if you wish, before it is released for the funeral;
- ask the Coroner for a copy of the post mortem report, but a fee may be payable;
- ask the Coroner about a separate post mortem. This examination would have to be at your own expense and by a pathologist of your choice.
Other persons with an interest may have similar rights.
An inquest is not needed in every case. Where it is, a short preliminary hearing will take place within a few days. The full inquest will usually be resumed in due course.
