When a death is reported

A death cannot be registered, and a final death certificate obtained until after the investigation or inquest has been concluded. 

If the coroners enquiries mean that it is not possible to register the death, the coroner will issue paperwork to allow the next of kin to be able to sort financial affairs and arrange a funeral.   

This paperwork is referred to as Interim Death Certificate or Coroner Certificate of the Fact of Death and this certificate can be used until such a time that the death can be formally registered. If more copies of the certificate are needed these can be obtained by contacting the coroner’s office using the form below -

Coroners enquiry

The coroners officer will keep family and next of kin informed about the investigation and make them aware when it is possible to register the death. It may be several months after the date of death that the death can be registered. 

If there is an inquest the coroner will send information from the court to the appropriate register office after the inquest has been concluded. This allows the death to be registered after the inquest without a next of kin or family member coming to the office. When this action has been completed a copy of the final death certificate can be obtained from the appropriate register office.