Her Majesty's Coroner is involved

If a death is unexpected, especially if a Doctor has not seen the person for more than 2 weeks, or if the circumstances are suspicious or there is some evidence of an industrial disease, a post-mortem maybe required. After consultation with the person’s G.P. the coroner may instruct a post mortem to be carried out.

The body will need to be taken to the relevant Coroner’s mortuary facility (Barnwood, Gloucester). This is usually carried out by the Gloucester Coroner’s contractor, Alexander Burn Ltd from Cheltenham paid for by the Coroner’s Service. We are happy to do this instead but there will be a small additional charge of approximately £150.

If the results of the postmortem are that the death was due to natural causes the coroner informs the registrar and the funeral can continue. You will have to see the registrar to obtain copies of the death certificate.

The coroner may decide that an inquest is necessary. In this case the inquest may be adjourned and it is usual for the funeral to continue, the inquest not starting for some time, possibly around 3 months. The coroner will issue you with interim death certificates until the final certificates are produced at the end of the inquest.

Local coroner telephone numbers:

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