When a death occurs in the following circumstances it will be referred to the coroner:

• The death is sudden and unexpected
• The cause of death is industrially related
• The cause of death is unknown
• There are suspicious circumstances surrounding the death
• Death due to accident, violence, suicide, neglect or during / after operation

The coroner will investigate the circumstances of the death and do one of the following:

• Issue a certificate to the Registrar allowing the death to be registered
• Arrange a post mortem and when this is complete issue a cause of death certificate to the Registrar allowing the death to be registered
• Arrange a post mortem and hold an inquest. The coroner will then arrange for the death to be registered after the inquest has taken place.