Why does coroner want to know the funeral plan?

Posted by ninja_teabagger@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 22 comments

The coroner just completed the post-mortem for my dad and then called my partner (because I'm deaf) with cause of death etc. However, the coroner wants to know the funeral plan. I'm confused by this, I can't even plan a funeral because I'm not able to register the death yet and pick up the "green form" in order to arrange the cremation? Is this a normal thing? This seems to be in the wrong order when I read the steps on the [Gov.UK](http://Gov.UK) or AgeUK websites. Even the coroner said the "green form" isn't necessary. I don't know how to go about this. I told my partner to call back and relay that I plan to do cremation via Co-op, but just want to be sure there's no hidden charges behind their £1,395 price. They would also want payment within 48 hours and I don't know how I can do this quickly as I'd need to register the death first, pick up death certificates and then go to my dad's bank to get them to use his funds to pay for the funeral as I don't have enough money to do this myself. On a side note, it's also frustrating that the coroner and bereavement services do not make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act to get in touch with me directly.

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22 Comments

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RecentTwo544@reddit

They may be checking if there's any specifics you need to adhere too - Islam requires people to have a funeral within a certain timeframe, I think Judaism has similar rules.

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Ok_Adhesiveness_8637@reddit

Hindu is next day cremation

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ArcTan_Pete@reddit

If you are not able to hear exactly what the coroner is saying, and are relying on a 3rd party to pass his comments on then you may be missing context. Tone and context can be the difference between phrase being a blessing and a curse, or something in between

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Rossco1874@reddit

Some people pay for funeral in advance they may have been asking if there was something like that in place rather than right what's the plan ? Sort of thing You can't speak to funeral directors without death certificate and the coroner will know this as its they do it every day Sorry for your loss.

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brassicafromage@reddit

I’d make an appointment with the Co-op, and go to plan the funeral with them. Everything will be clear, there is a straightforward form they fill out with you and everything is clearly itemised so you’ll know what the final price will be. Things like flowers, caskets, transport etc will be clearly costed out for you so you can make choices knowing they price of each. I’ve been through the process twice with them and found them very kind and understanding, but also straightforward. I’m sorry for your loss :(

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BeeSudden2082@reddit

Sorry for your loss..... Talk to a local independent funeral director, they are likely to be more understanding and helpful than the co-op,...

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AnOtherGuy1234567@reddit

Did he have a pacemaker installed as they tend to go bang in crematoriums and certain medical implants such as artificial hips and knees can cause crems a lot of problems as well.

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ninja_teabagger@reddit (OP)

He has had knee replacements done, but the coroner should know that surely as it'd be in my dad's medical records...

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AnOtherGuy1234567@reddit

They go on scar tissue. Docs get a nice payment known as "Ash Cash" just to say that somebody doesn't have a pacemaker scar and so can be cremated.

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SingerFirm1090@reddit

I think the fact a is involved complicates matters, in the cse of both my parents the care home or hospital doctors were able to confirm a cause of death, so the paperwork was very smooth. To answer your question, no it's not normal, there is a question over the cause of death. In the UK, a coroner is a judicial officer responsible for investigating deaths, particularly those that are violent, unnatural, of unknown cause, or occur in custody or state detention. Coroners, often lawyers or doctors with at least five years of experience, determine the cause of death and may hold inquests to establish the facts surrounding a death.

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CraftyCat65@reddit

First off, I'm very sorry for your loss 💞 In terms of your question: in your dad's case - because he has had a post mortem - there won't be a "green form" issued by the registrar, when you are finally able to register. Instead, the green form will be replaced by a document produced by the Coroner, which they will rmail directly to your chosen funeral director (which is why they need to know who you have chosen to use). Additionally, the form issued by the Coroner is different, depending on whether your dad is to be buried or cremated (a Form 6 for cremation or a "Coroner's order for burial" if interment). So the Coroner needed to know what your plans were, so that they can email the correct form to your FD. I know it's all horribly confusing, and at a time even anyone is ill equipped to take information in, even without the Coroner's office failing to have provision for communicating with you directly.

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Leithia24@reddit

Hey OP. I'm so sorry for your loss, and the frustration in trying to plan something as challenging as a funeral whilst struggling with the official paperwork. Now the coroner has finished their part, they will want to know where to send your Dad for the next part of his journey. I had to tell the coroner which funeral director and between them they arranged for transport. Your dad will go to the funeral home and they will look after him until the funeral. A good funeral director here will help you immensely. They will do the running around with paperwork as best they can, including getting the death certificate so you can sort out payment. They will be your best bet to navigate this. As another person here has mentioned, do shop around. It's hard to summon the energy for it I know, but it will help this next step if the process go smoothly.

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pocahontasjane@reddit

Sorry for your loss. When my dad died, we instructed the funeral director but they needed the death certificate to go ahead with the cremation. We got the death certificate via email (the original was posted but email made every go quicker). They did ask if we had a funeral director and they asked if we were thinking burial or cremation. I think they add it to their notes so they know the body can't be exhumed if it's a cremation.

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erinoco@reddit

As others have said, the main thing is to find out who to release the body to. Have you spoken to the Co-op yet? The idea is that the funeral directors will be able to help you through many of the formalities concerned with the process.

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ninja_teabagger@reddit (OP)

Yeah I found an alternative form and filled that in at https://www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare/funeral-directors/start-a-funeral-arrangement about 5 hours ago, they haven't got in touch with me despite their website saying they'll contact within an hour.

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erinoco@reddit

No harm in asking around others local to you: when my father died, we consulted three before choosing the one which was right for what we wanted.

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CrystalQueen3000@reddit

When my dad died the coroner needed the funeral plan so they knew who to release the body to, I was able to have my dad cremated months ahead of having the cause of death or final death certificate but I do remember feeling confused by the conflicting information on different websites. I’m sorry for your loss.

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ApprehensiveElk80@reddit

Sorry for your loss. The passing of a loved one is really stressful as it is but even harder when a coroner needs to be involved. Looking at the government website - https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/when-a-death-is-reported-to-a-coroner - it appears the coroner needs to know about the funeral arrangements as cremations have additional paperwork if a post mortem was done and it’s better for you to make sure you have all the correct paperwork from the off set. Do you also have anyone to support you to raise your concerns with the coroners office about the lack of reasonable adjustments? It does need flagging.

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spiderlegs61@reddit

I think they probably just want to know if you are planning a burial or a cremation - there are different forms that they have to fill out in each case. At least that is what I was told when dealing with my late husband's affairs. (I agree that it is appaling that they can't find a way to communicate with you directly.)

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Jayatthemoment@reddit

Sorry for your loss. I went through all this last year and I didn’t need to do anything — the funeral director got all the forms and picked up her body from the coroner. Registering the death was a separate thing from organising the burial or cremation.

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iolaus79@reddit

When my dad died (during the pandemic) they registrar sent the info straight to the funeral home we were using so I didn't have to do the pre pandemic running round with forms It may be as simple as that

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