Following some deaths, a post mortem (also called an autopsy) is carried out to gain more information about the death. Prior to the post mortem, the attending doctor will seek the consent of the next of kin. Post mortems are carried out with respect and dignity of the deceased and will not usually delay the funeral. The results may play an important part in helping you to understand and come to terms with the death. Results of a post mortem usually take up to three weeks to prepare but can take up to eight weeks. You may discuss the results of the post mortem with the deceased's G.P. or hospital consultant. When the attending doctor receives the post mortem results she/he signs the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death and the death certificate can then by obtained in the usual way.

THE CORONER
Some deaths must be notified to the Coroner. These included

- Sudden and unexpected deaths.

- Deaths for which the G.P. or hospital doctor is not able to issue a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death because of uncertainty regarding the cause of death.

- Accidental or violent deaths (for example Road Traffic Accident)

- Deaths which occur within 24 hours of hospital admission.

- Death which occur within 24 hours of any medical, surgical, radiological, anaesthetic, obstetric or other procedure.

In some circumstances there may be formal identification of the deceased by the next of kin in the presence of a Garda.

The Coroner is an independent public officer who decides on the basis of the information presented to him/her, and following further enquiry if necessary, whether a post mortem should take place. Once the Coroner has decided that a post mortem is necessary, it must be carried out. The consent of the next of kin is not necessary in these circumstances.

When the Coroner has ordered a post mortem, the hospital cannot give the family any information regarding the deceased. All enquires must be made directly to the local Coroner. You can obtain the Coroner's name and contact number from the head office of your local County Council or Corporation.

The Coroner may issue a Coroner's Certificate in relation to the death if she/he is satisfied as to the cause of death following receipt of the results of the post mortem.

INQUESTS
Some deaths will be subject of an inquest. This is an enquiry presided over by the Coroner and there may or may not be a jury. At least six weeks will have elapsed after the death before an inquest is held. The function of an inquest is to establish the circumstances and cause of the death by taking of sworn evidence from witnesses. An inquest may be very difficult for the bereaved. It may bring up painful memories. However, attending the inquest may help with the grieving process in that unanswered questions about the death may be clarified. If you are attending an inquest, it may help to be accompanied by a family member or close friend for support.

Following the inquest, the Coroner will issue a Death Certificate. The Death Certificate can be obtained by the next of kin in the usual way (see below)

REGISTERING THE DEATH
Every death must be registered with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages for the Registration District in which the death occurred.

The death should be registered as soon as possible after the death. Those eligible to register the death are the nearest available relatives present at the death or in attendance during the last illness, or living in the district where the death occurred, or a person present at the death, or a member of the staff of a hospital or other institution in which the death occurred. In the absence of one of the above the undertaker may register the death.

In practice, deaths which occur in a hospital are usually registered by a member of the hospital staff with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages local to the hospital.

To register a death the eligible person must obtain a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death from the medical practitioner who attended the deceased during his/her last illness, and bring this certificate to the District Registrar's Office and sign the Register of Deaths in the presence of the Registrar. Death certificates may then be obtained from the Registrar. Your local Health Board can advise as to where the District Registrar's Office is located.

When a post mortem is carried out the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death will not be signed by the doctor until the results of the post mortem are known. Therefore, there may be a delay in obtaining the death certificate.

There is no charge payable for the registration of a death. Fees are payable for death certificates issued by a Registrar. The fees are revised from time to time and the current fees will be indicated at the Registrar's Office:

The General Register Office Joyce House 8/11 Lombard Street East Dublin 2
Tel:01-6711000 Hours: Monday to Friday- 9:30am-12:20pm 2:15pm-4: 30pm