Hello.
From my experience it will tend to be influenced by the medical report received by the Coroner, and his/her determination of the pertinent facts upon his in-chambers findings [cut and dried] or Coroner's court hearing. I've [greater family] been involved in a number of cases referred to the Coroner.
Either way it will be a brief CLINICAL statement of fact, as determined by the Coroner.
As today, upwards [from memory] of $6,000 of ACC death cover will hang upon the Coroner's findings, I know of at least one case where an additional comment was made by the Coroner, "that no evidence was found that the cause of death was intentional".
To the family involved, the facts they became aware of, we laymen would have said death by mis-adventure. When the Coroner's office experienced a month's delay in getting the ruling signed off, the Trustee complained, and pointed out that the Undertaker's costs were pending. The Trustee was advised that the draft ruling awaiting signature/s read death by XXX a very brief clinical description of the actual death. The Court Registrar being spoken to, then offered to ask the Coroner to be specific about "believed intent" and the above [or words to that effect] were added the signed off ruling.
The Trustee was then able to apply for the ACC accidental death funds. No funding if deemed suicide.
- Alan.
