Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Coroners Act 2006

Deaths to be reported and post-mortems - Interests of families and other relevant people or organisations

25: Viewing, touching, or remaining with or near body in coroner's custody

You could also call this:

"Viewing or touching a body in the coroner's care: what you need to know"

Illustration for Coroners Act 2006

You can view, touch, or stay near a body if the coroner says you can. The coroner must be in charge of the body, as stated in section 19. You must follow any conditions the coroner sets. You might want to view, touch, or stay near the body if you are a family member of the person who died. This also applies if you are a representative of the family, or a minister of religion chosen by the family. You can do these things if the coroner gives you permission and you follow their conditions, as stated in section 22. The coroner decides who can view, touch, or stay near the body and under what conditions. You must get the coroner's permission first. The coroner's rules must be followed.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM377546.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Health and wellbeing > Public healthFamily and relationships > Children and parenting
Previous

24: Significant matters referred to in section 23(1), or

"Important things a coroner looks at when someone dies"

Next

26: Matters to be taken into account under section 25(3), or

"Things the coroner considers when dealing with a dead person's body"

Part 2Deaths to be reported and post-mortems
Interests of families and other relevant people or organisations

25Viewing, touching, or remaining with or near body in coroner's custody

  1. This section applies to a body if—

  2. the responsible coroner's exclusive right to custody of the body, under section 19, is being exercised by the responsible coroner or on the responsible coroner’s behalf; and
    1. 1 or more people to whom subsection (2) applies wish to view, touch, or remain with or near the body.

      1. This subsection applies to the following people:

      2. members of the immediate family of the person who is, or of a person who is suspected to be, the dead person concerned:
        1. representatives (whether recognised under section 22 or not) of that immediate family:
          1. people chosen by that immediate family and who are, or are performing functions analogous to, ministers of religion or other people providing religious or spiritual advice, benefit, or comfort.

            1. One or more people to whom subsection (2) applies may view, touch, or remain with or near the body, but only—

            2. if authorised to do so by the coroner; and
              1. in accordance with any conditions the coroner imposes.

                Notes
                • Section 25(1): replaced, on , by section 19 of the Coroners Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 29).