Coroners Act 1996

A coroner who has jurisdiction to investigate a death must, as soon as practicable after assuming that jurisdiction, provide to any of the deceased person’s next of kin under section 37(5) the following information —

that the body is under the control of the coroner investigating the death; and

that a post mortem examination is likely to be performed on the body under section 34; and

that while the body is under the control of the coroner investigating the death, any of the deceased person’s next of kin under section 37(5) may touch the body, unless the coroner determines that it is undesirable or dangerous to do so; and

that there is a right under section 35 to request that a doctor chosen by the senior next of kin be present at the post mortem examination; and

that if tissue is to be removed from the body under section 34(3)(b), then there is a right to view the written permission of the deceased; and

that while the body is under the control of the coroner investigating the death, it may be viewed by any of the deceased person’s next of kin under section 37(5); and

that there is a right under section 37 to object to the post mortem examination, and a right under section 36 to request that a post mortem examination be performed; and

that there is a possibility that tissue may be retained after the completion of the post mortem examination, where it is necessary to do so in order to investigate the death, in accordance with section 34; and

a brief summary stating the manner in which objection under section 37 may be made; and

that a counselling service is available.

The information provided under subsection (1) must be in writing, where practicable, and in a language and form likely to be understood by the person to whom it is provided.