• The deceased was not attended by a doctor during their last illness;
• The cause of death has not been certified by a doctor who saw the deceased after death or within the 14 days before death;
• The cause of death is unknown;
• The registrar believes that the cause of death was unnatural, caused by violence, neglect or abortion, or occurred in suspicious circumstances;
• Death occurred during surgery or while under anaesthetic;
• The cause of death was an industrial disease.
• After an accident or injury.
• If the death was violent or unnatural - for example, suicide, accident or drug or alcohol overdose.
• If the death was sudden and unexplained - for instance, a sudden infant death (cot death) or, adult death syndrome.

Anyone who is concerned about the cause of a death can inform a coroner about it, but in most cases a death will be reported to the coroner by a doctor or the police.