A coroner (the procurator fiscal in Scotland fulfils a similar role) is an independent officer with legal powers working on behalf of the Crown. Most coroners and all procurator fiscals are lawyers but some coroners may be doctors.
Coroners' officers, who may be civilians or police officers, work under the direction of coroners and liaise with bereaved families, police, doctors and funeral directors.
The coroner's role is to inquire into deaths reported to them which may be unnatural for any reason or of unexpected and unknown cause. Deaths are mainly reported to a coroner by the police, registrars of deaths and doctors.
If a member of the public has a concern that a death is unnatural they should contact the police as soon as possible.
The first steps in the coroner's enquiries
The coroner or their officer will gather information about the death to determine whether a doctor can issue a medical certificate or whether further investigations are required. If a medical certificate cannot be issued the coroner will usually order a post mortem examination.
If a coroner's post mortem examination reveals that the death was due to natural causes and that an inquest is not needed, the coroner will release the body. The death can then be registered and the funeral can take place.
Click here for more information about inquests.