At a glance
- Territorial jurisdiction
- London is divided into eight coroner areas
- Notice of removal
- written notice before removal and confirmation of the coroner's decision
- Proof of application
- acknowledgement known as Form 104
- Medical supporting document
- cause-of-death report and destination-specific health evidence
- Serbian reception
- Serbian sprovodnica according to the instructions of the Embassy of Serbia in London
Why doesn't London have one procedure for the whole city?
The Ministry of Justice lists eight coroner's areas in London. The competent coroner is determined by the place where the body is located, not by the family address or airport of departure.
The coroner acts differently when the death is natural and already medically confirmed than when an inquest is opened. If the case is under his control, registration and release depend on the decision of that coroner area.
What is Form 104 and when is it received?
Waltham Forest's guidance requires written notice to the coroner before removal from England. The office then considers whether further enquiries are needed. A planned burial abroad must not be treated as permission to depart; confirm the coroner's response and any outstanding release decision before arranging collection.
If the death has not yet been registered, the case is first coordinated with the coroner and register office. Form 104 confirms that the notice of removal has been processed; it does not replace public-health evidence or a destination-country permit. Each document has a separate issuer and purpose.
Does the London procedure apply throughout the UK?
No. London falls within England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate procedures; Form 104 is not a universal UK document.
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast therefore require different guidance. Within London itself, the register office and coroner also perform distinct functions: registration does not settle the separate decision about removal abroad.
Which offices issue the documents for removal from London?
The table shows the Anglo-Welsh procedural stages and the separate country of burial document. A special inquest may add a coroner's warrant, but that document is not presumed in an ordinary case.
| Document | Issuing authority | Role in the case |
|---|---|---|
| death certificate | local registry office | officially records the death |
| Form 104 | competent coroner | confirms that the removal notice has been processed |
| Medical report on the cause of death | doctor | provides the medical cause-of-death evidence listed for a Serbian sprovodnica |
| Destination-country permission | competent diplomatic mission | governs entry into the destination country |
How is the destination-country document selected?
The Embassy of Serbia in London publishes documents for the issuance of a Serbian sprovodnica. That instruction does not apply when the funeral is in BiH, Croatia or Montenegro. For each of these countries, its mission, proof of burial place and entry conditions are checked.
The destination-country permit and English documents must contain matching personal details. Particular attention is paid to the spelling of the name in the British death certificate and the deceased’s passport. Any transliteration discrepancy is resolved before the destination-country permit is issued, not at final handover.
When does a health or judicial decision change the procedure?
Medical documentation confirms data that is important for safe cross-border transport. In the case of a known infectious disease, special health conditions apply.
No duration is assigned to an open investigation without information from the coroner. The case status, coroner area and outstanding document are recorded instead. The stated 48-hour timeframe applies only to a routine case after the official procedure has ended.
What to prepare before the first call from London?
The full name of the deceased, passport, name of the hospital or mortuary, postcode of the facility, information on whether a coroner is involved, municipality selected for burial and family phone number are required.
The necessary administrative steps are explained within 10 minutes, and we collect routine documents at no extra charge. The next step depends on official release and the documents required by the country of burial.
Process for this case
- Step 1 of 4
Identifying the coroner area
The postcode of the facility links the case to the competent coroner.
- Step 2 of 4
Registration and health certificate
The death certificate and medical evidence are prepared as separate records.
- Step 3 of 4
Notice of removal to the coroner
Coroner processes the request and issues the appropriate certificate.
- Step 4 of 4
Coordination of the Serbian sprovodnica
The relevant consular authority checks the documents required for entry at the confirmed final destination.
Sources and review date
The official sources listed below were reviewed for the statements on this page. Responsibilities and forms can change, so the current version published by the relevant authority remains decisive.
- London Borough of Waltham Forest – official guidance — London Borough of Waltham Forest · reviewed
- Ministry of Justice – official guidance — Ministry of Justice · reviewed
- UK Legislation – official guidance — UK Legislation · reviewed
- UK Legislation – official guidance — UK Legislation · reviewed
- Gloucestershire Coroner Service – official guidance — Gloucestershire Coroner Service · reviewed
- Ministry of Justice – official guidance — Ministry of Justice · reviewed
- Scottish Government – official guidance — Scottish Government · reviewed
- Scottish Government – official guidance — Scottish Government · reviewed
- nidirect – official guidance — nidirect · reviewed
- Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Republike Srbije – official guidance — Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Republike Srbije · reviewed
- Ministarstvo vanjskih poslova Bosne i Hercegovine – official guidance — Ministarstvo vanjskih poslova Bosne i Hercegovine · reviewed
- Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova – official guidance — Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova · reviewed
- Vlada Crne Gore – official guidance — Vlada Crne Gore · reviewed
Frequently asked questions
Is there one coroner for all of London?
No. The Ministry of Justice lists eight coroner areas, and jurisdiction follows the location of the deceased.
Can removal be arranged before the coroner has considered the notice?
The written notice must be submitted before departure. Confirm the coroner's response and whether any further enquiry or release decision is outstanding; a privately chosen departure date cannot replace that decision.
Is Form 104 the same as a death certificate?
No. A death certificate is the civil record of the death, while Form 104 confirms that the coroner has processed the removal notice.
Can the London procedure be used for a case from Scotland?
No. Scotland has separate forms and jurisdictions, so the starting point is legally classified first.
When is it possible to arrive from London within 48 hours?
The arrival plan concerns an uncomplicated case with official release, the necessary coroner paperwork and the destination-country documents in place. An unresolved enquiry prevents confirmation of collection.