The coroner's main duty is to enquire into deaths occurring in certain circumstances in his jurisdiction, although not necessarily deaths from violent causes. There must be reasonable cause to suspect that the death was a violent or unnatural death; or a sudden death the cause of which is unknown.

In the majority of cases a post mortem examination shows the cause of death was from natural causes and there is no need for an inquest. 

In a few cases an inquest is required. This is a court hearing in public held to establish the facts surrounding the death and the medical cause of the death.

Cumbria County Council appoints its coroners and is responsible for dividing its area into coroners districts with approval of the Home Office. There are two coroners districts in Cumbria.

These are:
- North and West covering the administrative areas of Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland
- South and East covering the administrative areas of Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland

The Coroners are:

Mr  Ian  Smith - H M Coroner for the South and East District
Central Police Station
Market Street
Barrow in Furness
Cumbria
LA14 2LE

Tel: 01229 848966


Mr  David Roberts  - H M Coroner for the North and West District 
38-42 Lowther Street
Whitehaven
Cumbria
CA28 7JU

Tel: 01946 692461

For information on specific cases or deaths that have been refered to the coroner, please contact the appropriate coroner direct, as detailed above.

The Manager for the Coroners Service within Cumbria is:

Mr Jim Grisenthwaite  
HM Coroners Service - Cumbria
Cumbria County Council
Arroyo Block
The Castle
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA3 8UR

Any general enquiries regarding the coroners service (Not information regarding inquests or individual cases as these must be dealt with by the appropriate coroner) can be directed to the following at the same address: