Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Coroner

Coroner

Alternative titles for this job include Coroner's assistant, area coroner, senior coroner

Coroners investigate deaths where the causes are unexplained, where violence is suspected or where people have died while in custody.

Average salary (a year)

£102,000 Starter

to

£153,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job by applying directly.

Direct Application

You need to be an assistant coroner before you can apply for the position of coroner.

To apply for an assistant coroner job, you need at least 5 years' experience as either a:

Vacancies

Local councils advertise vacancies for assistant coroners and coroners.

They choose coroners with the consent of the Chief Coroner and the Lord Chancellor.

Further information

You can find out more about the work of a coroner from the Crown Prosecution Service and the Coroners' Society of England and Wales.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a coroner, you could:

  • hold an inquest into a death if you think one is needed
  • collect evidence, witness statements and details surrounding a death
  • order a post-mortem if you have questions about the cause of death
  • explain the inquest process and findings to bereaved families in clear terms
  • notify the registrar about the death and results of any inquest
  • deputise for the senior coroner when required
  • write reports and make recommendations to prevent future deaths

Working environment

You could work in an office, in a court or in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you can apply for the position of senior coroner. After that you could apply for the position of chief coroner, with overall responsibility for running the coroner's service in England and Wales.

You can also apply to become a course director with the Judicial College.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a coroner right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a coroner?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.