H M Coroners' Service in Hampshire

The Coroner is an independent judicial officer, appointed by the local authority

H M Coroners' Service in Hampshire

Measures to enable Inquest hearings to take place in person will be implemented from 3 August 2020. To comply with Government social distancing guidelines, there will be restrictions on the number of people permitted to attend. Access to the court will not be granted without prior arrangement with the Coroner’s Office, which can be made by emailing hampshirecoroners@hants.gov.uk. Members of the press will be permitted to attend in person if there is space available and they have informed the Coroner’s Office in advance of the hearing – alternatively they will be granted access via video link.

You should not attend court in person if you are self-isolating, are considered a vulnerable person or have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). Arrangements can be made for you to access the hearing via video link or telephone if required.

Help us keep our visitors and staff safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by following social distance guidelines, keeping a two metre distance from people outside your household or support bubble. All attendees are encouraged to bring their own face coverings to court and wear them throughout the hearing. See specific guidance on the attendance at inquests.

NHS Test and Trace privacy notice

The Coroner has a duty to investigate deaths:

  • which are unnatural or violent
  • where the cause of death is unknown
  • where the person died in prison, police custody or state detention

Following the report of a sudden or unexpected death, the Coroner must establish the cause of death. A post mortem examination may be carried out by a pathologist if the Coroner decides that this is necessary.

GOV.UK guide to Coroner services and investigations

Book an appointment to register a death

Post mortem

If a post mortem is necessary, it is usually performed 3 to 4 working days after removal. One of the Coroner's Officers will contact you to explain the procedure and advise a likely timescale in this particular case.

Death certificate

The deceased's GP may be able to issue a medical cause of death certificate (MCCD), subject to approval from the Coroner. A Coroner's Officer will make contact with the GP in the first instance to make these enquiries.

Funeral arrangements

If you, or another member of the immediate family, would like to arrange a viewing prior to the funeral, we recommend that you wait until after the examination and arrange a viewing at your chosen funeral director's chapel of rest.

If the death is found to be due to natural causes, the Coroner can release the deceased to your chosen funeral directors. You should tell the Coroner's Office who you have chosen to take care of funeral arrangements as soon as possible to avoid any delay in release.

Inquest

If the death is not due to natural causes, an inquest will be necessary. The Coroner will provide further details of the procedures which follow.

List of inquests

Coroner's offices

Aldershot, Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Farnborough, Fleet, New Forest, Romsey, Southampton and Winchester

Senior Coroner Mr C C WILKINSON

Area Coroner - Jason PEGG
Area Coroner - Rosamund RHODES-KEMP

Assistant Coroner - Simon BURGE
Assistant Coroner - Karen HARROLD
Assistant Coroner - Samantha MARSH
Assistant Coroner - Sarah WHITBY

Central, North-East and Southampton & New Forest

The Castle Winchester SO23 8UL

Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham, Gosport, Petersfield

Senior Coroner Mr C C WILKINSON

Area Coroner - Jason PEGG
Area Coroner - Rosamund RHODES-KEMP

Assistant Coroner - Simon BURGE
Assistant Coroner - Karen HARROLD
Assistant Coroner - Samantha MARSH
Assistant Coroner - Sarah WHITBY

Portsmouth and South East

The Coroners Court 1 Guildhall Square Portsmouth PO1 2AJ

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm