Coroner's office

Inquest

In certain circumstances, HM Coroner may decide to hold an inquest into the death. He or she will usually give the undertakers an Order of Burial form or Certificate for Cremation form, so that the funeral can take place. They may also issue interim death certificates to relatives to allow the deceased's financial affairs to be sorted out. The death will not be registered until the inquest has taken place and a verdict has been reached. After the inquest, the coroner will provide the registrar with the relevant paperwork. Once the registration has taken place (for which an informant is not required), certified copies of the entry, ie death certificates, can be purchased from the registrar. 

Inquests usually take place at the court in the Guildhall (see address below). The court does have wheelchair access. Those attending court who have special requirements, eg translating services, must contact the coroner's officers well in advance of the hearing. All inquests are open to the public and to the press, unless there is an issue of national security.

Attendance at inquests
It is illegal to record any judicial proceedings heard in open court without permission of the Coroner, and to do so is a contempt of court under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

Coroner's court inquest hearing list (PDF, 328 KB)

GP death reporting GP death reporting

The senior coroner

Mr Aled Gruffydd
His Majesty's Senior Coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
The Guildhall
Swansea
SA1 4PE

Email: coroner@swansea.gov.uk
Telephone: 01792 636237 or 01792 450650

Assistant coroners

Mr Edward Ramsay
Mrs Kirsten Heaven

Coroner's officers

The direct telephone number of the Coroners Officers is: 01792 450650

At times of exceptional demand when the officers are engaged on other calls or absent from the office please leave a voicemail message with your contact details and the nature of the enquiry and someone will get back to you as soon as practicable.

Alternatively please email: coronersofficewestern@south-wales.pnn.police.uk.

Fax: 01792 450652

If your message is urgent and you need to speak to someone please ring the general office on 01792 450650 and a member of the administrative staff may be able to help

Office opening hours

Telephone: 01792 636237

Monday to Friday  9.00am - 4.00pm
This office does not operate out of hours.

If there is an emergency out of hours, South Wales Police may contact HM Coroner personally.