Coroner And Death Certificate

[taichiperson]

My mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the end of November. There was a delay in getting a certificate, due to an admin error. The initial post mortem found no obvious cause of death, so an interim certificate was issued at the beginning of December. We were told that tissue samples were to be taken for another examination, and that would take 6-8 weeks. We still have heard nothing - should I contact the coroner to see if there has been another delay? I'd really like to be able to move on emotionally etc.

[woofgang]

I can't see that it would hurt to contact the coroner but it may be that the 6 to 8 weeks quoted was under normal circs without having Christmas and New Year to slow things down.
I am sorry for your loss and really do understand how you feel. Waiting in a vacuum is horrible.

[taichiperson]

Thanks Woofgang - yes it did occur to me that Christmas might have gotten in the way. Also there are a lot of nasty bugs going around and lots of people off sick across the board, so admin might be suffering from that too. It gets so I'm waiting for the post - I expect it will come one day when I'm not thinking about it. I really hope it doesn't have to go to an inquest too.

[woofgang]

If it will help YOU, then I am sure that no one will mind if you contact the Coroner's Office. I am sure they understand what a painful time this is for relatives and loved ones.

[taichiperson]

I have to say due to the initial mix up (when I rang the Coroner on the Monday, he apologised and said he had 'no idea' that Mum was waiting at the mortuary) I don't have a lot of confidence in the admin, although everyone I've contacted so far has been helpful, polite and understanding. I will probably wait another week or two before I contact them.

[murraymints]

Oh dear..i am so sorry you must be in pieces

[ChipaChups]

Hi taichi.
We are having the same trouble you are having'
A relative died in October they could not find the cause of death.
They sent interim certificates,and they said 6-8 weeks before we had the cause of death.
In December we had a letter to say there was an admin error.
Received a letter last month to tell us the death will be decided by an inquest in court,now we are waiting for a court date.

[Traci66]

My husband died early September, the full death certificate wasn't issued until late March the following year. Sorry for your lost, it's awful when you just want closure x

[Traci66]

Loss not lost.

[taichiperson]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, chipachups. I hope it goes smoothly for you. Thankyou Tracy and Murraymints xx

[Peter Pedant]

I am extremely sorry all those who have been bereaved. At best a very difficult time. A doctor can - but here hasnt - issue a death certificate, if he has seen the patient within 14d. oh and knows the cause of death
Even if he does in these days they get bounced to the coroner.

The coroner will do a post mortem ( obviously one of his underlings does that ) - and there is a report. A temporary death certificate ( T100 I think ) is often issued and this can be used for most things [" the coroner can give you an interim death certificate to prove the person is dead. You can use this to let organisations know of the death and apply for probate." internet]

The coroner can issue a certificate after his post mortem or even a limited post mortem or can decide to go ahead and hold and inquest

an inquiry under oath on whos died, where when and what from. The relatives can ask for an inquest - altho he doesnt have to grant one, a lot do alot of the time.

After Shipman where criticism was levelled at a few people - the system has slowed down - not to improve the inquiry into the cause of death but to prevent further criticism of those in high or lower office, and making them feel bad, put upon or useless.

so basically we are all stuck

yes write a nice letter saying what progress....

The new act recommends that the whole thing is over in six months and all of you are way under that. And it is pious hope, it is not even a duty. (nothing happens if he doesnt do it)

I wrote at 5 m 21 d and got a bit of a crabby reply. - but then they coughed up the death certificate ( I had told them what to put!) - and then the underling said she wanted to give it to the next-of-kin and I said 'no you're giving it to the executor who is the man sitting next to me.'

so there is a tension between the relatives who want to get things done and dusted and the coroners office who drag their feet because they dont want to be criticised for missing another Shipman.

By and large it is a dissatisfactory system
but there is very little you can do besides nag

[ChipaChups]

Thanks taichiperson & Peter

[eevet]

Hi I’m also in pieces having lost my son over drug misuse..I was “allowed” a funeral but I am still waiting for a final death certificate,but the coroner said they have still got more investigations to do.I do phone them re any worries or problems so I can assure you they don’t mind..anyone with probs re benefits I can highly recommend the d.h.s.s.bereivement line..lots of questions but at least all benefits etc were stopped,still waiting 8weeks now..so stressful but hope I’ve answered some queries..hold on,try and chill cos cant do anymore.