Reporting a Death to the Coroner

In any of the following circumstances the doctor may report the death to the coroner:

• an accident or injury
• an industrial disease
• during a surgical operation
• before recovery from an anaesthetic
• if the cause of death is unknown
• the death was sudden and unexplained, for instance, a sudden infant death (cot death).

The coroner may be the only person who can certify the cause of death. The doctor will write on the Formal Notice that the death has been referred to the coroner.

If the doctor treating the deceased had not seen him or her, either after death or within 14 days before death, the death must be reported to the coroner.