Frequently Asked Questions
- What deaths are reported to the Coroner?
- Who may inform the Coroner?
- Are all deaths reportable?
- Why is a post mortem sometimes required?
- Why are the Gardai involved ?
- Criminal investigations
- Organ Donation
- How long does it take to find out the results of the post mortem?
- How will I know when the results are back?
- What is an interim certificate?
- How do I get an Interim Certificate
- What if I need to take a body abroad or bring a body into the Country?
- Death Certificate
- What is an Inquest?
- How long is the waiting time for the Inquest?
- How will I know the date of the Inquest?
- Can I request a copy of the post mortem report or the inquest file?
What deaths are reported to the Coroner?
Unexpected sudden deaths, unnatural deaths, violent or traumatic deaths, deaths within 24 hours of arrival at hospital or during a procedure, deaths in nursing homes, or deaths where the deceased has not been attended by a doctor within 28 days must be reported to the Coroner.
Who may inform the Coroner?
Usually the death is reported to An Garda Siochana who will inform the Coroner. Doctors, undertakers, registrar of deaths, or a person in charge of a nursing home may inform the Coroner.
Are all deaths reportable?
No. In most cases the General practitioner or hospital doctor can certify the medical cause of death and the Civil Registration Office registers the death.
Why is a post mortem sometimes required?
If the GP or hospital doctor is not sure what the person died from, they may not be in a position to sign the death notification form. In this case a post mortem is required.
All deaths from trauma, unnatural or violent causes also require a post mortem,
This examination is carried out by a pathologist on behalf of the Coroner.
Blood tests (toxicology) for drugs and alcohol are taken.
The consent of the family is not required when the Coroner directs a post mortem.
The deceased persons remains will be released to the family’s undertakers when the examination is finished.
Why are the Gardai involved?
An important part of the Coroner’s enquiry is to establish the identity of the deceased person. The deceased person must be identified to a member of An Garda Siochana by a person who knows them well, usually a family member or close friend.
The Gardai act as Coroner’s officers, that means they collect information and relay updates on behalf of the Coroner.
The investigating Garda will take witness statements. This does not necessarily mean that the death is suspicious.
Criminal investigations
In certain cases the post mortem must be performed by the State pathologist. A second post mortem by an independent pathologist may be requested by the defendant’s legal team in a criminal investigation.
Organ Donation
The Coroner’s permission is required for Organ Donation.
How long does it take to find out the results of the post mortem?
Currently, it takes a at least 8 months for the final post mortem and toxicology report to come back to the Coroner.
How will I know when the results are back?
When the Coroner’s investigation is completed, a decision will be made as to whether an inquest is necessary or not.
If no inquest is required the Coroner sends a notification to the Civil Registration Office in Naas instructing the Registrar to register the death.
It is the duty of the investigating Garda or Garda Liaison officer acting as Coroner’s officer to inform the family when this procedure is complete.
You can then apply for the death certificate from the Civil Registration office in Naas.
The Coroner’s service in Kildare is very busy. Please do not contact the Coroner for updates as they will be provided to the investigating Garda when they are available.
If an inquest is necessary and a date is set, the Garda in charge of the case will contact the relative that they have on file.
What is an interim certificate?
This is a certificate of the fact of death. It is not a statutory form, meaning there is no obligation in law for it to be supplied. It may be of some assistance in dealing with financial institutions and government departments whilst waiting for the official death certificate to be available.
How do I get an Interim Certificate
The interim certificate will be handed to the undertaker on collection of your relatives remains from the mortuary. It is advisable to give it to your solicitor to make certified copies so that they may deal with financial institutions, life insurance companies and the probate office on your behalf.
What if I need to take a body abroad or bring a body into the Country?
Your undertaker will contact the Coroner to request the necessary out of state paperwork. This request must be in writing.
All relevant documents must be submitted to the Coroner in advance of arrival of the body into the country with a request for permission for burial or cremation. This should be done through the undertaker.
Death Certificate
When instructed by the investigating Garda that the file is complete, you may apply for the Death certificate either online through the HSE website or in person at the Civil registration Office, Unit 5 Monread Business Complex, Monread Road, Naas Co Kildare.
What is an Inquest?
An inquest is an inquiry into a person’s death required when the post mortem results reveal that the person did not die of natural causes or a definite medical cause of death was not found.
The purpose is to establish the medical cause of death so that a death certificate can be issued.
Witness evidence is heard to answer questions arising from the death.
The Coroner, or Jury, delivers a verdict which describes the who, what, where , when and how the person died.
The Coroner does not consider who was at fault or if a criminal offence occurred.
General recommendations may be made to prevent similar deaths in the public interest.
In certain cases a documentary inquest is conducted, the Coroner conducts an investigation without the need for a Court hearing. The Coroner may make a finding and return a verdict.
How long is the waiting time for the Inquest?
Currently in Kildare, it takes 12-18 months for an inquest file to be completed and returned to the Coroner to set a date.
Some inquests are adjourned pending criminal investigations.
How will I know the date of the Inquest?
The Investigating Garda or sergeant in charge will contact the family contact person. The inquest list is also posted on the Kildare County Council website.
Can I request a copy of the post mortem report or the inquest file?
Yes, as a properly interested person under law, for example a family member, solicitor, etc may apply for copies of the file. The determination as to who is a properly interested person is at the Coroner’s discretion.
All files prior to 2021 are held by the County Registrar, Naas Courthouse and in some cases in the National Archives.