The immediate family of the person who died have the right to be kept informed and be given certain documents relating to the coronial process.
Be kept informed
National Initial Investigation Office Co-ordinators manage the cases from the time the death is reported to the Duty Coroner until the person is released from the mortuary. They keep families informed about what’s happening with the post mortem and any body tissue samples, and when the person is released from the mortuary.
Coronial Case Managers manage the case once the case has been assigned to a regional coroner until the coroner's finding is sent out to everyone involved.
Anyone in the immediate family can ask to be kept informed about the inquiry. It’s often easier for the family to agree on 1 person who will act for all of them.
Coronial Services will tell the family representative anything important, including when and where an inquest will be held. At times the representative will be asked to make a decision to do with the inquiry.
If you want to talk with the coroner, you should contact the coronial case manager.
Be given documents
Members of the immediate family are entitled to a copy of the post mortem report, unless it’s part of a police investigation. The immediate family is also entitled to a copy of the coroner’s finding and any recommendations that are part of the finding.
Ask your coronial case manager how you can get documents.
When Somebody Dies Suddenly Resources – Translated
The ‘When someone dies suddenly’ factsheet and guide explains the coronial process for when your loved one’s death has been referred to the coroner. Below are the two resources in English and have been translated into Te Reo, Tongan, Samoan, Chinese Simplified & Chinese Traditional.
English Coronial Booklet [PDF, 533 KB]
English Coronial Factsheet [PDF, 196 KB]
Te Reo Coronial Booklet [PDF, 2.3 MB]
Te Reo Coronial Factsheet [PDF, 165 KB]
Tongan Coronial Booklet [PDF, 434 KB]
Tongan Coronial Factsheet [PDF, 170 KB]
Samoan Coronial Booklet [PDF, 2.3 MB]
Samoan Coronial Factsheet [PDF, 165 KB]
Chinese Simplified Coronial Booklet [PDF, 2.7 MB]
Chinese Simplified Coronial Factsheet [PDF, 544 KB]
Chinese Traditional Coronial Booklet [PDF, 2.7 MB]
Chinese Traditional Coronial Factsheet [PDF, 503 KB]
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