The following types of deaths must be reported to the Coroner:
- sudden, unnatural, violent, or unexplained deaths (where a doctor cannot sign a Death Notification Form)
- deaths where the doctor has not attended to the deceased in the last month
- deaths in certain other categories
A death will usually be reported to the Coroner by a Healthcare Professional, for example: if the death is due to natural causes in a nursing home or if the doctor had not seen or treated the deceased within a month before their death.
If a death appears to be due to unnatural causes, it should be reported to a member of Garda Síochána who will notify the Coroner.
COVID-19 related deaths must be reported to the Coroner by the treating doctor (or healthcare professionals in certain circumstances) so they can investigate whether the death is due to natural causes. If the death doesn't require further investigation the Coroner will complete the inquiry and notify public health authorities. For further information on COVID-19 related deaths see below:
Updated Guidance Note from Coroners Service and Coroners Society of Ireland in relation to COVID-19 related deaths
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In all other circumstances a death should be reported to the Coroner by:
- the doctor of the deceased
- a funeral undertaker
- the Registrar of deaths
- any householder and every person in charge of an institution or premises where the person who died was residing at the time of their death
A death is reported by contacting the Coroner's office in the area that the death occurred in. Find your local Coroner.