When the coroner or Procurator Fiscal is involved.

When is a death referred?

The doctor who would normally sign the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is required to refer a death to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal) when:

• The cause of death is unknown
• The death was sudden, unexpected, or unexplained
• The deceased had not been seen by a doctor in the last 14 days (England and Wales) or recently (Scotland)
• The death may have been caused by an accident, suicide, violence, or neglect
• The death occurred during or shortly after surgery, an anaesthetic, or other medical procedure
• The death may be due to industrial disease (e.g. asbestos exposure)
• The death occurred in custody or while detained under the Mental Health Act

Most referrals are routine. The majority are resolved with a phone-call review and a decision that no further investigation is needed — the doctor is then free to issue the MCCD and the family proceeds as normal, with only a day or two of delay.

What the coroner or Procurator Fiscal can decide

There are essentially three outcomes:

1. No investigation needed. After reviewing the medical history, the coroner / PF decides the cause of death is clear and authorises the doctor to issue the MCCD. Typical delay: one to three working days.
2. Post-mortem examination. A pathologist examines the body to establish the cause of death. After the post-mortem, if no inquest is required, the coroner issues a Form 100B (in E&W) or Form 14 equivalent (in Scotland) and registration can proceed. Typical delay: one to three weeks.
3. Inquest. A formal investigation in front of the coroner. An interim certificate may be issued so that the funeral can go ahead, but the full death certificate is not issued until the inquest concludes. Inquests can take months. The cremation itself can usually proceed once the coroner has issued the relevant authorisation.

How this affects the cremation

The funeral director cannot collect from the place of death until the coroner’s office (or Procurator Fiscal’s office) releases your loved one. Once they do, everything proceeds as normal — the £1,499 base price doesn’t change because of coroner involvement.

In some cases, the coroner may require additional cremation paperwork (a coroner’s certificate authorising cremation, sometimes called Form 6 or a Form Cremation 6). We handle this for you.

Can family attend the post-mortem or be told about it?

You will be informed that a post-mortem is taking place but you do not need to be present and would not normally attend. The coroner’s office will tell you the outcome and provide the cause of death once the post-mortem is complete. They will also tell you when your loved one is ready to be released to the funeral director.

How to make this easier

When you call us, tell us if a coroner or Procurator Fiscal is involved. We’ll liaise with their office directly so you don’t have to chase — and so we can get the cremation arranged the moment release is given.

Coroner cases can feel like a long wait, especially when nothing is happening from the family’s end. We’ll ring with updates so you’re not left in the dark.

Procurator Fiscal in Scotland

In Scotland, the Procurator Fiscal performs the equivalent role of the coroner. The process is similar — review, possible post-mortem, occasionally a Fatal Accident Inquiry (the Scottish equivalent of an inquest, but reserved for a narrower set of cases). Most referrals to the PF are resolved within a few days.