Information about reporting a death
If the death occurred at home and was expected, the family doctor will write out a Medical Certificate of Death. The doctor will also give permission for the body to be taken to the funeral director's.
If a death occurred in hospital, your funeral director will notify you when you can collect the Medical Certificate of Death from the hospital.
If a death occurred at home and was not expected, the family doctor may contact the police or the coroner. Don't be alarmed if the death is reported to a coroner. A coroner is involved in most cases of sudden and unexpected death and it does not necessarily mean there are suspicious circumstances. In most cases, it simply means a doctor has not examined the deceased recently. If the death was not from natural causes, for example if it was a motor accident, the coroner will call for an inquest to determine when, where and how the death occurred.