A Coroner may decide the investigation is either unnecessary or complete if the post mortem examination has shown the cause of death. The Coroner will then release the body so that the funeral can take place.
The Coroner will send a form to the Registrar of Births and Deaths stating the cause of death as shown by the post mortem examination report. When the Registrar has received this form you can make an appointment to register the death.
Sometimes a Coroner may decide that further investigation is needed into the death. The Coroner will still usually release the body at this point so the funeral can take place if he or she no longer needs the body for the investigation. However, occasionally this is not possible and, if so, the Coroner's office will explain the arrangements to you.
Occasionally, while the Coroner can release a body for funeral purposes, it may not be possible to release a particular organ (or organs) immediately because a specialist and lengthy examination is required. Again the Coroner's office will advise you of the various options available to you.
You may wish to find a funeral director through one of the industry's trade associations, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
