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A
BILL
FOR
A LAW TO ESTABLISH THE LAGOS STATE CORONERS’ SYSTEM,
REGULATE THE PROCESS OF DEATH INVESTIGATION AND FOR
OTHER CONNECTED MATTERS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF LAGOS STATE OF
NIGERIA in the present House assembled and by the authority of same as follows:
Part 1
General Provisions

1. Establishment of the State Coroners’ System
1) There is hereby established a Coroners’ System for Lagos State.
2) The Coroners’ System for the State shall be under the control and administration of the
Chief Coroner of the State.

2 Office of the Chief Coroner
1) The Chief Judge shall appoint a Judge of the High Court as the Chief Coroner of Lagos State.
2) The Chief Coroner shall hold the office for a period of four (4) years and may be appointed
for another term.
3) Appointment of a High Court Judge as Chief Coroner shall not affect the tenure of office of
the Judge or any
rights or privileges attached to the office.
4) Service by a Judge as the Chief Coroner shall be taken to be service as a Judge of the
High Court.

3 Functions of the Chief Coroner
The Chief Coroner shall -
1) ensure that the State Coroners’ System is administered and operated efficiently under
this law;
2) coordinate Coroner services in the State;
3) supervise the performance of Coroner services in the State;
4) develop measures, guidelines and policies that promote public performance of reporting
obligations under
this law;
5) ensure that an inquest is held whenever it is necessary or desirable to do so;
6) bring the findings and recommendations of coroners to the attention of the appropriate
authorities;
7) prepare quarterly reports which collate data of investigable deaths and synchronize the
findings and
recommendations of Coroners, and highlight any conditions or circumstances the continuance
or possible
recurrence of which are prejudicial to the health or safety of the public or any section of the
public
and submit same to appropriate authorities;

8) conduct programmes for the instruction of Coroners in their duties;
9) issue and distribute guidelines and a code of ethics for the guidance of Coroners;
10) make recommendations for public awareness and enlightenment of the Coroners’ system;
and
11) perform such other functions as are conferred on him by this Law and do such other things
as he
may consider necessary for the effective administration of the Coroners’ System in the State.

4. Appointment of Coroners
1) The Chief Judge of Lagos State shall designate a Magistrate not below Magistrate Grade I
to be Coroner
in each Coroner District in the State.
2) The Chief Judge may appoint any other fit person, such person being a legal practitioner
of not less than
5 (five) years post qualification experience, to hold inquests under this law in respect of
any deaths, within
any of the Coroner Districts in the State.

5. Power to divide the State into Coroner Districts
1). The Chief Judge may -
a) divide the state, or any portion thereof into Coroner districts for the purpose of this law;
b) constitute in any part of the state a Coroner District or districts for the purposes of this law;
c) distinguish such districts by such names or numbers as he may think proper; and
d) vary the limits of any such districts.
2). A coroner may act as coroner of another district-
a) during the illness, incapacity or unavoidable absence of the coroner for that district, or
b) where there is a vacancy in the office of the coroner for that district
3) Any inquest commenced by the Coroner may be continued, resumed or re-opened in
the manner provided
by this law by such Coroner or by his successor in office.

6. Establishment of Coroner’s Court in each district.
In every district, there shall be designated a court to be called the Coroner’s Court.

7 Establishment of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
1) The office of the Chief Medical Examiner is hereby established under this law to conduct death
investigation.
2) The Chief Medical Examiner shall be appointed by the Honourable Attorney-General &
Commissioner for Justice to hold office for a term of four (4) years and may be re-appointed for
a second term of four (4) years.
3) The Chief Medical Examiner may only be removed from that office by the Governor for inability to
discharge the functions of his office (arising from infirmity of mind or body) or for professional
misconduct determined by his professional regulatory body.
8. Structure of the office of the Chief Medical Examiner
The office of the Chief Medical Examiner referred to in this law as the “Forensic Institute” shall
comprise four departments with such number of units and staff as shown in the first schedule to
this law.

9. Qualification for the post of the Chief Medical Examiner
1) The Chief Medical Examiner shall be a qualified physician licensed to practice medicine and shall
in addition hold a Fellowship qualification in Forensic Pathology from a recognized post-graduate
college with
a minimum of five years post-qualification experience in the practice of Forensic Pathology.
2) A District Medical Examiner with degree in Forensic Pathology who has served for two
consecutive terms under this law may be appointed as a Chief Medical Examiner.

10 Functions of the Chief Medical Examiner
The functions of the Chief Medical Examiner shall be -
(1) to perform a post-mortem examination as well as any other ancillary investigation to establish,
thecause and manner of death of any person referred to him by an order issued by the Coroner;
(2) to write a detailed post-mortem examination report with formulation of conclusions, opinions or
testimony to be tendered as evidence during inquest proceedings;
(3) to regulate and ensure quality control of methods and procedures for post-mortem examination
to be conducted by district medical examiners;
(4) to train and ensure proper certification of district medical examiners and the proper performance
of their duties under this law;
(5) to maintain a central office and laboratories having adequate medical and scientific facilities for the
performance of the duties imposed by this law;
(6) to keep full, complete and properly indexed records of all deaths investigated and the autopsy repor
ts made;
(7) to keep and retain any tissue or other parts taken from the body of a dead person during the conduct of
autopsy which may be necessary for further study or consideration subject to the provisions of section 28 of
this law; and
(8) to grant approval to any person for cremating, causing or requesting the cremation of the body of any person who died in the State; and
(9) to do such other things as are necessary for the proper performance of his functions under this law.

11. Office of the District Medical Examiner
1) The Chief Medical Examiner shall appoint a Medical Examiner for each Coroner’s District in the State to be known as the District Medical Examiner.
2) The District Medical Examiner shall be a qualified Physician licensed to practice medicine and in addition holds a Fellowship qualification in Forensic Pathology and/or Anatomic Pathology with at least two years post-qualification experience in the practice of Forensic Pathology.
3). A District Medical Examiner shall hold office for a term of four (4) years and may be re-appointed for such further term(s) until the appointee is 70 years of age.

12 Functions of the District Medical Examiner.
The functions of the District Medical Examiner shall be: -
1) to perform a post-mortem examination to establish the cause and manner of death of any person within his district referred to him by an order issued by the Coroner;
2) to write a detailed post-mortem examination report with formulation of conclusions, opinions or testimony to be tendered as evidence during inquest proceedings;
3) to keep, complete and properly indexed records of all deaths investigated and the autopsy reports made;
4) to keep and retain any tissue or other parts taken from the body of a dead person during the conduct of autopsy which may be necessary for further study or consideration subject to the provisions of section 28 of this law; and
5) to do such other things as may be necessary for the proper performance of his functions and as may be directed by the Chief Medical Examiner.

13 Finance of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
1) The allowances to be paid to the Chief Medical Examiner, the District Medical Examiners and the expenses of maintaining the Central Office and Laboratories with the cost of the services rendered by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall be paid by the Ministry of Justice from funds drawn from the General Revenue.
2) The fund referred to in subsection (1) above shall be budgeted for by the State Ministry of Justice.

14 When death to be reported
Whenever the body of a deceased person is found lying within a particular Coroner District and there is a reasonable cause to suspect that such person has died of -
1) an unknown cause;
2) a sudden, unexpected natural death;
3) a death where the deceased had not been seen by the certifying doctor either after death or within the preceding 14 days;
4) a violent, unnatural or suspicious death;
5) an accidental death or misadventured death;
6) a self-neglect or negligence by others;
7) an industrial disease, accident at work or industrial poisoning;
8) a negligent medical intervention, misconduct or malpractice;
9) a procedure during surgery or before recovery from anaesthesia or diagnostic or therapeutic procedure;
10) following a practice of non-conventional medicine or procedure;
11) suicide, suspected suicide or assisted suicide;
12) in custody or shortly afterwards;
13) within 24 hours of hospital admission;
14) a maternal death occurring during or following pregnancy or that might be reasonably related to the pregnancy;
15) as a child in care;
16) an infant death as in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SID) and non-accidental injury;
17) unnatural stillbirth and intrauterine death;
18) in a nursing home or hospice;
19) unidentified body or human remains; or
20) where a funeral director is unable to secure proof that a medical death certificate of the cause of death had been procured from a registered medical practitioner.

any person finding the body of the deceased shall report such death to the office of any of the agencies for the report of death and such death shall be subject to postmortem examination.

Provided that no chemical preservation, dismemberment or disposal by any form shall precede the examination without prior authority by the Medical Examiner.

15 When inquest to be held
The Coroner shall hold an inquest whenever he is informed that the death of a deceased person lying within his Coroner District was as a result of any of the following:
1) death in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation;
2) death in custody or shortly afterwards;
3) death due to industrial disease, accident at work, industrial poisoning;
4) death following medical intervention;
5) death during surgery or before recovery from anesthesia;
6) death from a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure regardless of time;
7) death following a practice of non-conventional medicine or procedure;
8) any maternal death occurring during or following pregnancy (up to 6 weeks post partum) or which might be reasonably related to the pregnancy; or
9) any other reportable death where the Coroner believes an inquest is desirable.

16. Tampering with bodies
There shall be no tampering with the body of a deceased person found lying within a particular Coroner District by way of chemical preservation, dismemberment or disposal by any form prior to the conduct of a post-mortem examination except by the authority of the Medical Examiner.

17 Power to order exhumation
Notwithstanding any law or custom to the contrary, whenever it shall appear to any coroner that the body of any person, who has died in circumstances requiring the holding of an inquest thereon, has been buried without postmortem examination having being carried out or without such inquest having been held, or where such inquest, although held, has been quashed or re-opened, it shall be lawful for such coroner by his warrant as in Form A set out in the Second Schedule to order the exhumation of such body; and he shall after such exhumation proceed to do that which are necessary to determine the cause of death and thereupon direct the re-interment thereof; and the expenses of such exhumation and re-interment shall be paid, upon the coroner’s order from the general revenue:
[Form A: Second Schedule]
Provided that such exhumation shall not be ordered in any case where in the opinion of the coroner it would be injurious to public health, or where there is no reasonable probability of a satisfactory result being obtained thereby.
18 Inquest on all deaths occurring in custody
Whenever any death occurs in any custody, a coroner of the district in
which such death has occurred shall hold an inquest

19. Death in execution of a judgment of court
1) Where a death is in the execution of a judgment of court, a coroner shall be at the scene of the execution.
2) The coroner who witnesses the event referred to in sub-section (1) above shall write a report to be submitted to the Chief Coroner of the State.

20. Inquest to be held by Coroner of place where body is found
It shall be the duty of the coroner within whose jurisdiction a body is found to
hold an inquest on it, notwithstanding that the cause of death arose elsewhere.

21. Inquest where body destroyed or irrecoverable.
(a) Where a coroner has reason to believe that a death has occurred within his jurisdiction and in such circumstances that an inquest should be held but owing to the destruction or partial destruction of the body by fire or any other cause an inquest cannot be held except by virtue of the provisions of this section, he may if he considers it necessary, hold an inquest regarding the death; or
(b) where a coroner has reason to believe that a death has occurred within his jurisdiction and in such circumstances that it is desirable that an inquest be held but owing to the fact that the body is lying in a place from which it cannot be recovered he may if he considers it necessary, hold an inquest regarding the death.

Provided that the law relating to inquest shall apply with such modifications as
may be necessary on or after a medical examination of the body found within the coroner’s jurisdiction.

22. Coroner may Order the Postponement of Chemical Preservation or Disposal until after Inquest.
A Coroner may order the postponement of the chemical preservation or disposal of any body lying within his jurisdiction until an inquest shall have been held.

23 Notice of Death
(1) When any body is found or a person has died in such circumstances as to make the holding of an inquest under this law necessary or desirable, it shall be the duty of any person finding the body or becoming aware of the death to immediately inform any of the agencies for the report of death or the Coroner having jurisdiction in the place where the body lies.
(2) In the case of a death occurring to which the provisions of section 18 apply, it shall be the duty of the person in charge of the premises to immediately notify the coroner having jurisdiction to hold an inquest.

24. Protection of informant of reportable death
Any person who gives information in the case of a reportable death under this law or any person whose evidence would be material in the conduct of an inquest shall not be arrested or his liberty tampered with unless there is reasonable evidence connecting him with the commission of the crime relating to the information the person gives and a warrant of arrest has been issued for his arrest by the presiding Coroner.

25. Duty of agencies for report of death
1. On information being given to any of the agencies in respect of a reportable death, such agency or a person authorized in that behalf by the agency, referred to in this law as the authority, shall proceed to the place where the body of the deceased person is lying and shall take full responsibility and carry out investigations in accordance with the functions of such agency.

2. The authority shall without delay cause notice of the death as in Form B set out in the Second Schedule to be sent to a Coroner in whose jurisdiction the body was found.
[Form B. Second Schedule]
3. The relevant authority shall arrange for the removal of the dead body to the office of the District Medical Examiner if it is found to be a reportable death and fill the relevant Form C as set out in the Second Schedule of this law.

[Form C: Second Schedule]

Part 2
Post-Mortem Examination
26. Coroner may direct post-mortem examination.
If any Coroner considers it necessary with a view to investigating the circumstances of the death of any person to obtain medical report on the cause and manner of death of such person, he may, by written order as set out in Form D in the Second Schedule to this law, require the office of the Chief Medical Examiner to perform a post-mortem examination of the body and to make a report thereon.

27. Medical Examiner to perform a post-mortem examination and to report his findings
1) Every Medical Examiner upon the receipt of the order referred to in section 26 above shall perform a post-mortem examination of the body, with a view to determining the cause of death, and upon the conclusion of a post-mortem examination of the body shall make a report in writing to be forwarded to the Coroner who made the order and copied to the Chief Coroner of the State. The report of the post-mortem examination shall be as in Form E set out in the Second Schedule to this law.

2) In the event of an inquest, such report on being read at the inquest by the Coroner shall be prima-facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

28. Retention of Human Tissue
Where a Medical Examiner performing a post-mortem examination for the purpose of establishing the cause and manner of death requires to retain any human tissue or other parts from the body of a dead person, he shall apply for and obtain the consent of the Coroner and the next of kin of the deceased person where the Chief Coroner so requires.

Provided that the Medical Examiner shall give a detailed information on the type and mode of retention of the human tissue as in Form F set out in the Second Schedule to this law.

29. Payment of storage fees for body requiring an inquest
The storage fees on dead bodies in cases of investigable death requiring the conduct of an inquest shall be paid –
1) by the State Government for the days preceding the conduct of post-mortem examination; and
2) by the relatives or the next of kin of the deceased two days after the post-mortem examination.

30. Retention of abandoned bodies for academic and anatomical examination
Whenever it is necessary to retain an abandoned body for the purpose of academic or anatomical examination, the Chief Medical Examiner shall –
1) apply to the Coroner where the body is found indicating that the body has been abandoned for a specified period of two (2) months or more;
2) certify that the cause of death of the deceased is known;
3) provide evidence on the identity of the deceased to the Coroner;
4) provide evidence of advertisement showing that the body has been abandoned; and
5) obtain a written consent of the Coroner.

The detailed information to be given by the Chief Medical Examiner shall be as set out in Form G in the second schedule to this law.

Part 3
Procedure at Inquest
31. Provisions regarding the viewing of body -

1) At or before the first sitting of a Coroner at the conduct of an inquest, the coroner may view the body if he considers it necessary or may satisfy himself that the body has been viewed by any of the agencies for report of death;

Provided that the validity of such an inquest shall not be questioned in any court on the ground that the coroner or any of the agencies for the report of death did not view the body.

2) An order as in Form H in the Second Schedule of this Law authorizing the burial of a body upon which an inquest is being held may be issued by the Coroner at any time after the body has been medically examined.
3) If the body has been buried and has not been viewed or medically examined, the coroner shall order the exhumation of the body for the purpose of medical examination as in Form A in the Second Schedule of this Law and in the manner provided for under Section 17 unless he certifies that in his opinion such exhumation would be injurious to the public health or that no satisfactory result would be obtained thereby.

4) In any case in which the coroner himself has viewed the body he shall certify the fact upon the record of the inquest, and in other cases he shall record evidence, if any, of the view of the body by any of the agencies for report of death.

32. Coroner may exercise Powers of a Magistrate -
1) A coroner holding an inquest shall have and may exercise all the powers of a magistrate with regard to summoning and compelling the attendance of witnesses and requiring them to give evidence, and with regard to the production of any document or thing at such inquest.
[Form I: Second Schedule]
2) Every summons and warrant shall be in writing signed by the coroner.
3) Where the inquest concerns the death of a person executed in pursuance of a death warrant the medical examiner who shall be present at the scene of execution shall be an essential witness at such inquest.
33. Coroner to take evidence on Oath -
At every inquest the coroner shall take on oath such evidence as is procurable as to the identity of the deceased, the time, place and manner of his death.

34. Coroner not bound by rules of evidence -
A coroner holding an inquest shall not be bound by rules of evidence which may pertain to civil or criminal proceedings, but if any witness fails to answer any question put to him without lawful excuse, the coroner may:
a). impose a fine not exceeding Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) on such witness
b). punish such witness for contempt.

35. Power to take deposition of witness unable to attend
Where any person who is able to give material evidence in respect of any inquest is, owing to illness or other cause which appears satisfactory to the Coroner, unable to attend at the place where the Coroner usually sits or the attendance of the witness cannot be procured without an amount of delay, expense or inconvenience, which in the circumstances of the case would be unreasonable, it shall be lawful for the Coroner to admit the deposition of such person.

36. Coroner to grant standing to interested persons
1) A coroner may at an inquest allow any person whom the Coroner considers to have an interest in the inquest to appear as a Party Interested.
2) A Party Interested at an inquest may -
a) be represented by counsel or any other person of his choice; and
b) examine and cross-examine witnesses.

37. Protection of witnesses
Any person who gives testimony, as a witness during an inquest shall not be arrested or his liberty tampered with for reason of having given the testimony unless there is reasonable evidence connecting him with the commission of a crime relating to the testimony and a warrant of arrest has been issued for his arrest by the presiding Coroner.

38. Staying and resumption of inquest
(1) If in the course of an inquest, the Director of Public Prosecution informs the coroner that he is of the opinion that sufficient grounds have been disclosed for instituting criminal proceedings against any person already in custody or arrested in connection with the death, the Coroner may stay the inquest until -
(i) the trial of the person to be charged is concluded;
(ii) the person is discharged under the provisions of section 73 or section 286 of the Criminal Procedure Law;
(iii) the charge is dismissed under the provisions of section 299 of the Criminal Procedure law; or
(iv) it appears improbable that such person will be found.
(2) Where an inquest is stayed in pursuance of subsection (1) above, the Coroner may resume and conclude the inquest after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings if he is of the opinion that public benefit is likely to result from his so doing, he shall certify his opinion to that effect and transmit a copy of the inquest proceedings to the Chief Coroner who shall forward same to the Attorney-General.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) above, where an inquest is stayed in pursuance of subsection (1) and it is ascertained that the person to be charged cannot be found; the Coroner shall resume and conclude the inquest.

39. Order for arrest of suspect
If during the course or at the close of any inquest, the Coroner is of the opinion that sufficient grounds are disclosed for making a charge against any person in connection with the death, he shall make an order for the arrest of the suspect, for investigation by the appropriate authority.
40. The inquisition-
After the view (if any) of the body and hearing the evidence, the coroner holding the inquest shall give his verdict and certify it by an inquisition in writing as in Form J set out in the Second Schedule, showing, so far as such particulars have been proved to him, who the deceased was, and how, when and where the deceased came by his death:

[Form J. Second Schedule]
Provided that, where the inquest concerns the death of a person executed in pursuance of a death warrant, the verdict and inquisition shall include a finding as to whether the death was instantaneous and the person executed was the person mentioned in such warrant. Such inquisition and verdict shall be made and forwarded to the Attorney-General, and the Chief Coroner.

41. Authorities to receive the verdict
The verdict of a Coroner as certified in writing shall be forwarded to the Attorney-General of the State, the Chief Coroner, the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Divisional Police Officer in the district.

42. Where culprit is unknown

If, at the close of any inquest, the Coroner is of the opinion that there is ground for suspecting that some person is liable for an offence in respect of the matter inquired into, but cannot ascertain who such person is, he shall certify his opinion to that effect and transmit a copy of the proceedings to the Divisional Police Officer of the district in which the inquest is held.

43. Where culprit cannot be found.
Where a copy of the proceedings upon any inquest has been transmitted to a Divisional Police Officer under Section 43 and the culprit remains undiscovered, and if, in the opinion of the Divisional Police Officer, there is no probability that such person will be discovered, he shall certify his opinion to that effect and transmit the copy of the proceedings to the Chief Coroner who shall forward same to the Attorney-General.

44. Return of inquisitions and powers of Chief Coroner to review.
1) The Coroner shall immediately transmit every inquisition, including the depositions and the recognizance of the witnesses, if any, to the Chief Coroner and the registrar of the Chief Coroner shall take charge of such proceedings.
2) The Chief Coroner may examine the record of any such proceedings for the purpose of satisfying himself as to correctness, legality or propriety of any finding or verdict and as to the regularity of such proceedings.
3) Where the Chief Coroner by reason of such examination is not satisfied as to the correctness, legality or propriety of any finding or verdict, he may, after affording the Attorney-General or his representative an opportunity of being heard therein, exercise any of the powers conferred upon him by subsection(1) of section 45
4) Where the Chief Coroner by reason of any such examination is not satisfied as to the regularity of the proceedings, he may take such action, not necessarilly involving an alteration of the finding or verdict, as he may deem fit to cure such irregularity.

45. Power of Chief Coroner on application of Attorney-General
(1) The Chief Coroner, upon an application made by the Attorney-General, may do any of the following;

(a) order an inquest to be held touching the death of any person;
(b) direct any inquest to be re-opened for the taking of further evidence;
(c) quash the verdict in any inquest by substituting some other verdict which appears to be lawful and in accordance with the evidence recorded;
(d) quash any inquest, with or without ordering a new inquest to be held.
(2) The provisions of this section shall apply to all inquests and verdicts in accordance with the provisions of this law.

46. Inquest on any day including Public Holiday or in private
(1) The Chief Coroner may direct that an inquest may be held on any day including Public Holiday or in Private if he considers it expedient.
(2) Whenever an inquest is held as specified in subsection (1) above, the Coroner shall record the reasons for so holding it.

Part 4
Miscellaneous
47. Coroner to transmit particulars of death to the registrar of births and deaths. -
Where a death is required by law to be registered and an inquest is held, the coroner shall inquire of the particulars required to be registered concerning the death and shall forward his findings, including the time, place and cause of death to the Registrar within 5 days of the conclusion of the inquest.

48. Offences and Penalties
1) Any person who carries out chemical preservation, dismemberment or disposal of the body of a person who died in circumstances requiring the holding of an inquest under this law without the approval of a Coroner shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to Fifteen (15) years imprisonment with no option of fine.
2) Any person who fails without good cause to inform any of the agencies for the report of death or the Coroner as required under section 23(1) of this law shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to three (3) months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding Twenty Thousand Naira (N20, 000.00).
3) Any person who fails to notify the Coroner as required under section 23(2) of this law shall be guilty of the offence of concealment of death and liable upon conviction to seven years imprisonment with no option of fine.
4) Any person who carries out a post-mortem examination in a place not designated for such purposes by the Chief Medical Examiner shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to five (5) years imprisonment with no option of fine.
5) Any person, not being a medical examiner appointed under this law, who purports to sign the report of postmortem examination as in Form D in the Second schedule to this law, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to five years imprisonment with no option of fine.
6) Any person who takes a dead body in case of a reportable death to any mortuary other than that designated by the office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to three (3) years imprisonment with no option of fine while the institution receiving the body shall be liable to be closed down in addition to the payment of a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) only.
7) Any person who in the process of performing a post-mortem examination on a dead body retained any human tissue or other parts of the body without the consent of the Coroner under section 28 of this law shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to three (3) years imprisonment without an option of fine.
8) Any person who retained an abandoned body for the purpose of academic or anatomical examination without the consent of the Coroner under section 30 of this law shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to six months imprisonment with no option of fine.
9) Any person who issues a Death Certificate without the prior conduct of a post-mortem examination in case of a reportable death shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
10) Any person whose act or conduct contravenes any of the other provisions of this law where no penalty has been specified shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to two (2) years imprisonment.

49. Power to make rules and regulations
1) The Commissioner shall have power generally to make regulations for carrying out the provisions of this law.
2) The Commissioner on the advice of the Commissioner for Health and representation from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner may also make rules specifically to prescribe the scale of fees to be paid to Medical Examiners and Forensic Consultants for any examination, autopsy or other services required of them under this law.
50. Forms, Second Schedule
The forms set out in the Second schedule shall be used for the several matters to which they relate with such variations as circumstances may require. The Commissioner may from time to time by order published in the State Gazette amend, or add to the said schedule.
51. Repeal of Law No. C16 of 2003
The Coroners Law Cap C16 of 2003 is hereby repealed.

52. Interpretation
In this law, unless the context otherwise requires : -
‘agency for report of death,’ – means the Police, Local Government Authority or Office of the Medical Examiner.
“anatomy” – means the branch of science dealing with the structure of an
organism or body;

“appropriate authorities” : - means the Chief Coroner, the Honourable Attorney-General, the Director of Public Prosecution and the Divisional Police Officer
autopsy – means the examination of both the external and internal organs of a body after death with a view to determine the cause of death;

“body” – means corpse or the remains of human after death;

“burial” – means the disposal of a corpse or human remains by deposition in the ground in a designated burial ground;

“Chief Coroner” – means a judge of the High Court appointed as the administrative head of the Coroner System in the State;

“Chief Medical Examiner” – means the most Senior Medical Examiner in the State appointed by the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice;

“Coroner” – means a Magistrate or any other person appointed under this law to inquire by way of inquest into the cause of death.

“Commissioner” – means the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State;

“Cremation” – means the process of complete incineration or burning of a human remain;

“Custody” – means any place of confinement and includes prison, police station, hospital premises, hospice, asylum, rehabilitation center, etc

“death investigation” – means the process of determining the cause, mechanism and manner of death;

“death warrant” – means a judicial authority for the execution of a person;

“deceased” – means a dead person.

“deposition” – means evidence of a person given on oath;

“execution” – means the killing of a person in line with a judicial order or warrant;

“exhumation” – means to disinter or dig up a body previously buried;

“Forensic Specialist” – means a recognized specialist in any of the disciplines of Forensic Sciences;
“general revenue” – means budgetary allocation made by the State for the administration of the Coroners’ System

“Inquest” – means a judicial inquiry to determine the cause of an unexpected natural or violent death;

“internment” – means burial

“inquisition” – means a judicial inquiry or investigation of certain facts.

jurisdiction” – means the area of authority of a coroner.

“medical examiner” – means a medical personnel trained in forensic pathology and appointed to perform autopsies on the bodies of dead persons with a view to determine the cause of death;

“pathologist” – means a doctor who examines dead bodies to discover the cause of death

“prima-facie” – means at first sight or on the face of it.

“testimony” – means the evidence of a witness.

52. Citation and commencement
This law may be cited as the Coroners’ System Law, 2007 and shall come into force on the …………………… day of …………………………., 2007

FIRST SCHEDULE
(Section 8)
STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
MEDICAL EXAMINER

THE FORENSIC INSTITUTE

3
Forensic Pathology and other
Specialties Department

1. 2 4
Central Scientific Support Finance &
Laboratories Laboratories Administration Department

Central Laboratories
The Central Laboratories shall be headed by a Deputy Chief Medical Examiner and be comprised of three units as follows:
a) Forensic Toxicology unit;
b) Forensic Chemistry unit; and
c) Forensic Biology/DNA unit.

Each unit of the Central Laboratory shall be run by the head of the unit who shall be directly responsible to the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.

Scientific Support Laboratories
The Scientific Support Laboratories of the Centre shall be headed by a Deputy Chief Medical Examiner and be comprised of four units each run by a Head of unit as follows:
(a) Firearms and Toolmarks Unit;
(b) Trace evidence and Vehicle examination unit;
(c) Latent prints and Photography unit; and
(d) Document Examination and Computer evidence unit

Forensic Pathology and other Specialties Department
The Forensic Pathology and other specialties Department of the Centre shall consist of the following experts:
1) Forensic Pathologists (Medical Examiners);
2) Forensic Entomologists;
3) Forensic Anthropologists;
4) Forensic Odontologists;
5) Forensic Radiologists;
6) Forensic Soil Biologists;
7) Forensic Geologists;
8) Forensic Botanists;
9) Blood Spatter Experts

There shall also be attached to the Department;
1) A Forensic Nurse;
2) A Histotechnologist; and
3) A Morgue Technician

In each of the three departments specified above, the Chief Medical Examiner shall appoint such analysts and assistants as may be deemed necessary for the operation of the departments.

Department of Finance and Administration
The Department of Finance and Administration of the Centre shall be headed by a Deputy Director and consist of the following units;
(a) The Administration and Shipment/Delivery unit to be headed by an administrative officer.
(b) Security Unit to be headed by a Chief Security Officer.
(c) Exhibit Unit to be headed by an officer.
(d) Accounts Unit to be headed by an accounts officer.

The Deputy-Director shall have secretaries, clerks, accounts officers etc as may be necessary for the smooth running of the department.

SECOND SCHEDULE
{Section 17}
FORM A
CORONERS SYSTEM LAW
(Chapter C16)
ORDER FOR EXHUMATION

…………………………… District
To: ………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………

Whereas it appears ……………………………………………………………………..…..
has died in circumstances requiring the holding of an inquest upon his body and that the body of the said ………………………………………………………………………… has been buried at……………..…. ………………………………………………………...
…………………………………… without such inquest being held (or without a postmortem examination having been carried out) (or that the inquest held at ………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………. On the …………………… day of ……………………………….
……………………………… has been (i) quashed ………… or (ii) reopened …………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………

These are to charge you that you cause the said body to be taken up and have a postmortem examination carried out on it and safely conveyed to ………………………………………………… in the above named district that I may proceed to inquire into the cause of death of the said ………………………………………………………………………. (or as the case may be).

Given under my hand at …………………… this …………….. day of ……………………………… …..
…………………………………..
Coroner

FORM B
{Section 25(2)}
CORONERS’ SYSTEM LAW
(Chapter C16)
DEATH REPORT TO CORONER
Particulars of Deceased, etc.

1) Name of deceased …………………..……………………………………………
……………………………………………………..………………………………
2) Sex ……………………………………………………………..…………………..
3) Age ……………………………………………………………………………...….
4) Address ……………………………………………………………………………
5) Nationality and/or Tribe …………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
6) Occupation ………………………………………………………………………...
7) Date, hour and place of death ……………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
8) Supposed cause of death …………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
9) Name of person who found body
or gave first information of death ……………..…………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
10) Address ………………………………………………………….………………...
………………………………………………………………………………
11) GSM No. (If any)……………………………………………………………..………

12) Date and hour first information received by Police or Local Government or Medical Examiner or the Coroner ……..…………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
13) Circumstances of death and names of persons who can give information thereof …………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
14) Name of authority making first investigation …………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
15) Date and time of investigation …………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………
16) Describe where and how body was found ………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………… .…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………
17) Marks of violence (if any) …………………………………………………………..
18) Circumstances of suspicion (if any) ………………………………………………..
19) Date and hour when report was sent to Coroner ………………………………
………..……………………………………………………………………………
………………………… ……………………………. ………………………….
(Signed) (Signed)
Person giving first information Person receiving first information

Date

FORM C
Section 25(3)
Coroners System Law
Chapter C16
Information to Medical Officer
Form to be filled in duplicate by Agencies for the Report of Death when forwarding a corpse to the Medical Officer for post-mortem examination.
1) Full name of deceased (if known) ……………………………………………………
2) Town or village ………………………………………………………………………..
3) Age ……………………………………………………………………………………..
4) Name and town or village of person preferably near relative who will identify the corpse to the Medical Officer ………………………………………………………….
5) Date sent to Hospital ………………………………………………………………….
6) Name and Number of Police Escort bringing in the deceased ……………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………
7) Alleged cause of death ………………………………………………………………..
8) Any other useful information ………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………
9) Station …………………………………………………………………………………
10) Date ……………………………………………………………………………………
Signature of Officer of the Agency for the Report of Death
To be filed in by the Medical Officer.
11) Approximate date of death …………………………………………………………
12) Approximate Hour of Death …………………………………………………………
13) Brief notes of Post-Mortem findings ………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Station………………………………. Date ………………….
………………………………….
Signature of Medical Officer

FORM D
{Section 26}
CORONERS’ SYSTEM LAW
(Chapter C16)
ORDER FOR POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION

TO: Dr. …………………………………………………………..
WHEREAS I am credibly informed (Please see attached FORM B) that one …………………………………………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
has died in circumstances which may require the holding of an inquest under the Coroner Law; you are hereby authorized and required to make a post-mortem examination of the body of the said ………………………………………………………………....................
which will be delivered to you by ………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………..............……..
and to make a report to me thereon within ………………………………………………..
………………………………………………. period of the receipt of this order.
Given under my hand at …………………………………………… this ………………………. Day of …………………………………., 20…………………

…………………………………….
(Signed)
Coroner

FORM E
{Section 27}
CORONERS’ SYSTEM LAW
(Chapter C16)
REPORT OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

1) Date and hour of receipt of corpse at mortuary ………………………………….... ……………………..……………………………………………………………………
2) Condition of corpse on arrival ………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………..……………………………
3) Mode in which packed ………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………
4) Date and hour of holding examination …………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………
5) Name of deceased (if known) ……………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………
6) By whom identified …………………………………………………………..……..
7) Approximate Age …………… ……………………………………………………..
8) Sex ……………………………………………………………………………………
9) Height, Colour of hair, eyes, peculiar clothing and any other mark or means of identity ……………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
10) Probable date of death ………………………………………….. ………………….
11) Medical Report ……….………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………..………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Please Attach Detailed Medical Report)

I certify the cause of death in my opinion to be: -
I
(a) ……………………………………………………………………………..
(b) ………………………………………………………………………………
(c) ………………………………………………………………………………
II………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Date …………………… Signed …………………………….. (Name & Signature)

…………………………………………….
Qualif

FORM F
Section 28
CORONERS’ SYSTEM LAW
(Chapter C16)
TISSUE OR ORGAN RETENTION FORM
Agreement to a post-mortem examination
I …………………………………. do not object to a post-mortem examination being carried out on the body of ……………………………………….. in order to find the cause of death and study the effects of treatment. I understand that this examination may involve tissue samples or fluids being taken and held for laboratory investigation.
If the deceased is an adult, has he or she ever expressed an objection to this type of examination (as far as you know)? Yes No
Limited post-mortem examination
You may limit the extent of the examination. The person who gave you this form will explain the options and implications to you.
Do you wish to limit the examination? Yes No
If ‘yes’, where do you want the examination limited to?
The head
The chest
The abdomen
Organs being taken and held
You may agree or disagree to whole organs being taken for any further examination which could provide a more detailed understanding of the illness. Tick one of the statements below to indicate whether or not you agree to organs being taken and held.

I do not object to any organs being taken for further investigation if this is necessary to fully understand the cause of death and effects of treatment.

I object to any organs being taken for further investigation.

I object to the following organs being taken for further investigation (Please list organs below)

Disposal of any tissue or organs taken
After any further investigation of tissue or organs taken, those tissue samples or organs must be disposed of in a lawful way. You can either arrange this yourself or the hospital can do it. Tick one of the statements below to indicate your preference.

The hospital may dispose of the tissue samples or organs in a lawful and respectful way.

I will arrange for the tissue samples or organs to be disposed of in a lawful way.

I prefer the tissue samples or organs to be reunited with the body before it is released, even though this may delay the funeral.

Medical research and education
You may agree or disagree to some tissue, fluids or organs being taken and held for an unlimited time for medical research and education.
Tick one of the statements below to show whether or not you agree to any tissue, fluids or organs being taken and held for medical research and education.

do not object to any tissue, fluid or organ being taken for medical research and education.

I object to any tissue, fluid or organ being taken for medical research and education.

I object to the following tissue, fluids or organs being taken for medical research and education (Please list the tissue, fluids and organs below)

For post-mortem examinations required by law

Name of deceased: ………………………………………………………………………
Disposal of any tissue or organs taken
After any further investigation of tissue or organs taken, those tissue samples or organs must be disposed of in a lawful way. You can either arrange this yourself or the hospital can do it.

Tick one of the statements below to show how any tissue samples or organs should be disposed of.

The hospital may dispose of the tissue samples or organs in a lawful and respectful way.

I prefer the tissue samples or organs to be reunited with the body before burial or cremation, even if this delays the funeral.

I will arrange for the tissue samples or organs to be disposed of in a lawful way.

Medical research and education
You may agree or disagree to some tissue, fluids or organs being taken and held for an unlimited time for medical research and education.

Tick one of the statements below to show whether or not you agree to any tissue, fluids or organs being taken and held for medical research and education.

I do not object to any tissue, fluid or organ being taken for medical research and education.

I object to any tissue, fluid or organ being taken for medical research and education.

I object to the following tissue, fluids or organs being taken for medical research and education (Please list the tissue, fluids and organs below)

FORM G
{Section 30}
CORONERS’ SYSTEM LAW
(Chapter C16)
APPLICATION FOR RETENTION OF ABANDONED BODIES FOR ACADEMIC AND ANATOMICAL EXAMINATION

1) Name of the deceased: ……………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
2) Address (if any): ………………………………………………………………………
3) Particulars of death: ………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
4) Place where body is found: …………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
5) Period of abandonment: ……………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
6) Evidence of abandonment: …………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………….
7) Type and/or Nature of examination to be conducted: …………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
8) Name of Medical Examiner to conduct the examination: ………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
9) Name and address of Institution where the examination is to be conducted: ……
………………………………………………………………………………………….
10) Grant of consent by the Coroner: (Yes or No)

……………………………………
APPLICANT
The Chief Medical Examiner

This consent is given under the hand of:

Name of Coroner ………………………………
Signature/Stamp ……………………………
Coroner’s District ………………………………
State ………………………

Form H
Section 31(2)
Coroners System Law
Chapter C16
Warrant to Bury

In the Court of the Coroner of the District of ……………………… Lagos State.

This is to certify that you may lawfully permit the body of ……………………………… deceased, who now lies at ……………………………………………………….. to be buried and for so doing, this is your warrant.

Given under my hand, this …….. day of …………………… 20 ……

…………………….
Coroner

To the Registrar of deaths and to all those whom it may concern.

FORM I
{Section 32}
CORONERS LAW
(Chapter C16)
SUMMONS TO WITNESS

To:…………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………..
WHEREAS I am credibly informed that you can give evidence concerning the death of…………………………………………………………………….................
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
has died in circumstances which may require the holding of an inquest under the Coroner Law; you are hereby authorized and required to make a post-mortem examination of the body of the said ……………………............................................................................................
which will be delivered to you by ………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………........................
and to make a report to me thereon within ………………………………………………..
………………………………………………. Period of the receipt of this order
Given under my hand at …………………………………… this ………………………. Day of …………………………………., 20…………………

…………………………………….
(Signed)
Coroner

FORM J
{Section 40}
CORONERS LAW
(Chapter C16)
THE INQUISITION
An inquisition taken at ………………………………………….. in the …………………. Coroners’ Court in the district of ………………………….. in the Lagos State of Nigeria the …….... day of ……………………………… 20 ……………………… before …………………, on the view of the body of one ………………………………………………………………………………………………
Now I ……………………………………………………………………………………… charged to inquire when, where, how and after what manner the said ………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………. came to his/her death say that the following particulars have been disclosed : -
1) Name of deceased: ……………………………………………………………………
..........................................................................................................................................
2) Residence: ……………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
3) Occupation: …………………………………………………………………………...
4) Means of Identity: ……………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
5) Where found, when, and under what circumstances: ……………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

6) Date of death: . ………………………………………………………………………..
7) Cause of death: ……………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………..…
………………………………………………………………………………………….
8) Offence (if any) to which death attributable: ………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
And I, the said ……………………………………………………………………………...
do say that my verdict is ………………….………………………………………..............
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

{Please see Attached Detailed Verdict}
IN Witness whereof I have to this inquisition set my hand the …………………. Day of ……………………………………………… 20 ……………….

………………………………………………..
Coroner

THIRD SCHEDULE

LAGOS STATE CORONERS’ SYSTEM LAW, 2006

DISPOSAL OF BODIES BY CREMATION REGULATIONS, 2006

REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF BODIES BY CREMATION UNDER SECTION 49 of the Lagos State Coroners’ System Law, 2006.

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 48 of the Lagos State Coroners’ Law and all other powers enabling him in that behalf, the Commissioner for Justice makes the following Regulations-

1. Establishment of a licensed Crematorium

(1) The Commissioner for Health on the advice of the Commissioner for Justice shall have power to establish such numbers of crematoria as may be required in the state for the disposal of human remains by burning in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

(2) No Crematorium shall be constructed nearer to any dwelling house
than two hundred yards, except with the consent in writing of the owner, lessee and occupier of such house, neither within fifty yards of any public highway nor in the consecrated part of a burial ground.

2. Required Consent and Application for Cremation

(1) An application for cremation may be made by the consenting
authority, being the next-of-kin of the deceased person in accordance with the written instructions of the deceased by way of a will or other legal document if any, or with the consent of the spouse and all necessary members of the family of the deceased person.

(2) An application for cremation shall be made to the Chief Medical
Examiner, in the prescribed manner set out in Form “A” of the Forms in the Third Schedule to these Regulations.

3. Authority to Cremate

(1) The Chief Medical Examiner shall have power to issue a permit for cremation on presentation of the completed Forms, “A”, “B”, “C”, and “F”, set out among other forms in the Third Schedule and on payment of the required charges or fees as may be approved and fixed by the Chief Medical Examiner.

(2) Where the Chief Medical Examiner orders a post-mortem, and
receives information from the Pathologist certifying the cause of death and confirms that a coroner’s inquest is unnecessary in Form “D” set out in the Third Schedule, the Chief Medical Examiner shall issue Form “F”, granting authority to cremate the body.

4. Coroner’s Certificate for Cremation

Cases of human remains which have been investigated by the Coroner and which are to be cremated, do not require Form “B” (Certificate of Medical Attendant) and Form “C” (Confirmatory Medical Certificate), but shall be substituted with Form “E” in the Third Schedule, which shall be issued and signed by the Coroner after he has opened an inquest or following post-mortem without an inquest.

5. Register of Cremations

(1) The crematorium shall keep a Register of Cremations by completing
Form “G” in the Third Schedule.

(2) There shall be appointed a Registrar for the crematorium who shall
complete Form “G”, a record of each cremation, bearing a serial number, date of cremation, the particulars of the deceased, the name of the applicant and the names of those who signed the various certificates.

6. Offences and Penalties

(1) Failure on the part of the applicant to present the appropriate Forms or to ensure the
certification of the Forms by the appropriate personnel stated on the Forms referred to in section
2 (2) of these Regulations, shall cause the
application to be refused.

(2) Any person who willfully makes a false representation or signs or utters any false certificate
with a view to procuring the burning of any human remains shall be guilty of an offence and be
liable to imprisonment for a term not less
than Ten (10) years or a fine not less than Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) or both.

(3) Any person who operates a crematorium not established as provided under these regulations
shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than Ten (years)
or to a fine not less than Two Million Naira
(N2,000,000.00) or both.

(4) The illegally operated crematorium shall in addition to the penalty in subsection (3) above,
be closed down.

(5) Any Crematorium that cremates a body while a pacemaker exists in it shall be guilty of an
offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not less than Ten years (10) or a fine not less
than Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) or both.

7. Limitation of Liability

(1) The crematorium shall not be liable for any wrongful cremation preformed as a result of
false representation by the consenting authority in the application for the cremation as to
the identity of the deceased or the consent of the next of kin.

(2) The crematorium shall not be responsible or liable for any valuables delivered to the
crematorium with human remains.

(3) The crematorium shall not be liable for refusing to accept a body for cremation -

(a) on receipt of information of a pending dispute over the body;

(b) if it has reasonable basis for questioning any representation made by the consenting
authority; or

8. Interpretation

In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires:

“Consenting authority” means the deceased via a will, the next-of-kin, spouse and any
other necessary members of the family of the deceased person;

“Cremation” means the technical process, using direct flame and heat
that reduces human remains through high temperature oxidation with a
minimum smoke emission to ash and friable fragments of bone which
are then pulverized in a cremulator. Screws and other metallic fragment
removed before the ashes are placed in the urn;

“Crematorium” the building or part of a building that houses the cremation chamber and
the holding facility, (the area designed for the retention of human remains prior to cremation);

“human remains” the body of a deceased person, or part of a body or limb that has been
removed from a living person, including the body, part of the body or limb in any stage
of decomposition.

Form A

APPLICATION FOR CREMATION

I (name of applicant) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
(Names must be stated in full)
(Address) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(Occupation )…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

apply to the Lagos State Government to undertake the Cremation of the remains of:
(Name of Deceased) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....
(Names must be stated in full)

(Address) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

(Occupation) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(If retired, please state previous occupation)

(Age) ………………………………. (Sex) ……………………… Whether married, widow, widower, or unmarried …………

The true answers to the questions set out below are as follows:

1. Are you an executor or the nearest surviving relative of the deceased? (Answer “Executor” or
“Nearest surviving relative” if either).
2. If not, state –
a) Your relationship to the deceased
b) The reason why the application is made by you and not by an executor or any nearer
relative a) b)
3.

Have the near relatives (1) of the deceased been informed of the proposed cremation?

4. Has any near relative of the deceased expressed any objection to the proposed cremation?
If so, on what grounds?
5. What was the date and hour of the death of the deceased?
6. What was the place where the deceased died? (Give the address and say whether own
residence, lodgings, hotel, hotel, hospital, nursing home etc)
7. Do you know, or have you any reason to suspect that the death of the deceased was due,
directly or indirectly, to (a) violence;
(b) poison;
(c) privation or neglect?

(a)
(b)
(c)

8. Do you know any reason whatever for supposing that an examination of the remains of the
deceased may be desirable?
9. Give name and address of the ordinary medical attendant of the deceased.
10. Give names and addresses of the medical practitioners who attended deceased during his
or her last illness.

I Declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information given in this application
is correct and no material particular has been omitted.

Date ………………………… Signature …………………………………………………..

The applicant is known to me and I have no reason to doubt the truth of any of the
information furnished by the applicant.

Date ………………………… Signature ………………………………………………………………

Capacity in which signatory has signed ………………………………………………..
Note signatory must be a householder conforming with marginal Note 2.

This form when completed should be forwarded with the Certificate for Disposal
(after Registry) to the Coroner.

Form B

These Forms are Statutory. All the questions must be answered to make the
Certificate effective for the purpose of Cremation.

These medical certificates are regarded as strictly confidential. The right to inspect them
is confined to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Chief Medical Examiner.

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL ATTENDANT

I am informed that application is about to be made for the cremation of the remains of:-

(Name of Deceased) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

(Address) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(Occupation)…………………………………………………………………………………………………. (Age) …………………………………

Having attended the Deceased before death, and seen and identified the body after death,
I give the following answers to the questions set out below:

1. On what date and at what hour, did he or she die?
2. What was the place where the deceased died?
(Give address and say whether own residence, lodging, hotel, hospital, nursing home, etc)
3. Are you a relative of the deceased? If so, state the relationship.

4. Have you, so far as you are aware any pecuniary interest in the death of the deceased?
5. a) Were you the ordinary medical attendant of the deceased?
b) If so, for how long? a) …………………………………
b) …………………………………
6. a) Did you attend the deceased during his or her last illness?
b) If so, for how long?

a) …………………………………
b) …………………………………
7.
When did you last see the deceased alive?
(Say how many days or hours before death)

8. a) How soon after death did you see the body?
b) What examination of it did you make? (The doctor must see the body after death)

a) …………………………………
b) …………………………………
8A. If the deceased died in a hospital* at which he was an in-patient, has a post-mortem
examination been made by a Pathologist and are the results of that examination known to you?
9.
What was the cause of death?

I
Immediate cause
Morbid conditions, if any, giving rise to
immediate cause (stated in order proceeding
backwards from immediate cause).

Other morbid conditions (if important)
contributing to death but not related to
immediate cause

Form B (Continued)

10. a) What was the mode of death?
(Say whether syncope, coma, exhaustion, convulsion, etc)
b) What was its duration in days, hours or minutes?
a) ………………………………………
b) ………………………………………
11. State how far the answers to the last two questions are the result of your own observation, or
are based on statements made by others.

If on statements made by others, say by whom.
12 (a).

(b) Did the deceased undergo any operation during the final illness or within a year before death?
If so, what was its nature and who performed it?
a) ………………………………………
b) ………………………………………
13. By whom was the deceased nursed during his or her last illness?
(Give names and say whether professional nurse, relative, etc. If the illness was a long one this
question should be answered with reference to the period of four weeks before the death).
14. Who were the persons (if any) present at the moment of death?
15. In view of the knowledge of the deceased’s habits and constitution, do you feel any doubt
whatever as to the character of the disease or the cause of death?

c) …………………………………
d) …………………………………
16. Have you any reason to suspect that the death of the deceased was due, directly or indirectly to;
a) Violence ……………………..
b) Poison ……………………….
c) Neglect ………………………
d) Any reportable death ………..
Death due directly or indirectly to alcohol has now to be reported to the Coroner
17.
Have you any reason whatever to suppose a further examination of the body to be desirable?
(The doctor must see the body after death)

c) …………………………………
d) …………………………………
18. Have you given the certificate required for registration of death? If not who has?
19. Has the Coroner been notified?
If so, please give FULL DETAILS

I Hereby Certify that the answers given above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge
and belief, and that I know of no reasonable cause to suspect that the deceased died either
violent or an unnatural death or a sudden death of which the cause is unknown or died in
such place or circumstances as to make death reportable or to require an inquest in pursuance
of any law.

(Signature) ……………………………………………………….
(Address) ………………………………………………………….
Registered Qualifications ………………………………………
(Date) ……………………………………… (Tel) ………………………………………….

NOTE – This certificate must be handed or sent in a closed envelope by the medical practitioner,
who signs it, to the medical practitioner who is to give the confirmatory certificate below, “except
in a case where question 8A overleaf is
answered in the affirmative in which case the certificate must be so handed or sent to the
Chief Medical Examiner.

..* The term “hospital” as used here means any institution for the reception and treatment
of persons suffering from illness or mental disorder, any maternity home and any institution for
the reception and treatment of persons
during convalescence”.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Additional information regarding either of the Certificates may be given here if necessary.

Has a pacemaker or any radio active material been inserted in the deceased? (YES or NO) …………
If so, has it been removed? (YES or NO) ………………………….
CREMATION CANNOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REMOVED.

Forms B and C must be delivered to the Crematorium not later than 11am on the day
(exclusive of Sunday) before the Cremation. Any delay in the delivery of these forms may lead
to a postponement of the Cremation.

Form C
CONFIRMATORY MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Pursuant to the Cremation Regulations
The Confirmatory medical certificate in Form C, if not given by the Chief Medical Examiner must
be given by a medical practitioner who has been registered in this country for not less than 5
years and who is not a relative of the deceased or a relative or partner of the doctor who has given
the certificate in Form B.

I, being neither a relative of the deceased, nor a relative or partner of the medical practitioner who
has given the foregoing medical certificate, have examined it and have made personal inquiry as
stated in my answers to the questions below:

I am satisfied that the cause of death was ………………………………………………………………………………………………
Here, insert cause of death ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
and I certify that I know of no reasonable cause to suspect that the deceased died either a
violent or an unnatural death