...for the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin area:

• Mr J P Ellery – senior coroner
• Mr H Westerman – assistant coroner
• Mrs J M Lees - assistant coroner

In the following circumstances a death should be reported to the coroner:

• An accident or injury
• An industrial disease
• During a surgical operation
• Before recovery from an anaesthetic
• If the cause of death is unknown

If the death has to be reported to the coroner it can't be registered, nor can the funeral take place without the coroner's authorisation.

Where a death is reported to the coroner, the coroner's officer will contact the relatives. A coroner can order a post-mortem examination without obtaining the relatives' permission. This examination will ascertain the cause of death. He may also wish to hold an investigation into circumstances leading up to a death (including an inquest). When an inquest is called, the coroner's officer will contact the relatives and provide a copy of the Ministry of Justice Guide to Coroners and Inquests and the Charter for Coroner Services.

When an inquest is to be held the death can't be registered until the conclusion of the inquest, but a certificate of death can be issued on request to the family to allow the funeral to take place. When the inquest is complete a certificate will be issued to the registrar, who will then be able to register the death.

Call for evidence

The UK Commission on Bereavement has launched a Call for Evidence to hear from bereaved people as well as organisations that support the bereaved, professionals working in frontline services, researchers, academics, and faith groups.

The Commission was established to review issues around bereavement including the experiences of individuals and the support available to them. It aims to publish the result of the Call for Evidence early next year. Ministers have met with Commission and have committed the Government to respond to a future report that features any recommendations.

The Commission is keen to receive evidence from as wide a range as possible.

More information can be found at Taking part - UK Commission on Bereavement.

Contact

Coroners office: 01743 258540
Office Hours – Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4 pm (excluding bank holidays)

HM Coroners Service
Shirehall
Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
Shropshire SY2 6ND

Email: coroner@shropshire.gov.uk

There are currently no inquests