What is a post-mortem?

• A post-mortem is a medical examination of the body after death to find out the cause of death

• A post-mortem may be required if the cause of a person's death is uncertain

Who performs a post-mortem?

• A pathologist, a doctor specialising in examining body organs, tissues, and fluids, will conduct the post-mortem.

Cultural and religious considerations

• The Coroner does not need consent from the next of kin to order a post-mortem and has a duty to ensure deaths are effectively investigated.

• However, the Coroner will try to respect the faith and cultural needs of the deceased and their family. You should inform a coroner’s officer of any concerns about the conduct of a post-mortem for faith or cultural reasons as soon as possible.