New Zealand Legislation: Acts

42 Release of bodies

• (1) A coroner to whom a death has been reported under section 15(2)(a) or section 16(2)(b) must, if not prohibited from doing so by section 43 or 44, authorise the release of the body concerned as soon as he or she is satisfied that it is no longer necessary to withhold it from family members.

  (2) The coroner may, if not prohibited from doing so by section 43 or 44, authorise the release of the body.

  (3) The coroner's authorisation must be—

  • (a) given by written notice in the prescribed form; and

  • (b) signed by the coroner.

  (4) A body whose release a coroner has authorised under this section may be released accordingly.

  Compare: 1988 No 111 ss 13(2), 14