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Coroners

​The main duty of a coroner is to enquire into sudden or unexplained deaths.
Ceremonial burning

Due to the severe drought conditions and the very high risk of fire, no burning is permitted anywhere in the cemetery until further notice. This includes incense, paper money, candles, joss sticks, ceremonial items, or any other materials that require a flame or produce heat, embers or ash.

We understand that these practices can form an important part of funeral and remembrance traditions, and we are grateful for your understanding while these temporary restrictions are in place to help keep visitors, staff, memorials and the cemetery grounds safe.

This usually involves a post-mortem examination, followed by an inquest if the cause of death is not natural.

The coroner will also investigate the death of a person in custody or a death resulting from a person's occupation.

In this area, the coroner is appointed by a consortium of four boroughs – Southwark, Lambeth, Greenwich and Lewisham.

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