Written question asked by Fabian Hamilton (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 April 2004. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 19 April 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether coroners have the power to delay the release of bodies because no funeral arrangements have been made.

Answer: Mr. Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether coroners have the power to delay the release of bodies because no funeral arrangements have been made. [159970] Paul Goggins: Coroners are not empowered to delay releasing the body of a deceased person solely because no funeral arrangements have been made. However, if the persons to whom the body should be released cannot agree on the mode of disposal or who should arrange the funeral the coroner will be entitled to retain the body pending resolution of the dispute.

Secondary information