(2) If a post-mortem examination has been ordered on the body, the Coroner shall issue the order under subsection (3) only after the postmortem examination has been concluded.
(3) The Coroner may, whether or not he considers that an inquiry is necessary, order the release of a body—
- (a) for burial or cremation;
- (b) for the body to be transported out of Singapore; or
- (c) for the retention of the body for use in any manner in accordance with law,
and if he so orders, shall issue a certificate of his order to release the body.
(4) Where a reportable death has occurred or is suspected to have occurred and the body is in Singapore, any person who, without reasonable excuse, the burden of proving which shall be on the accused in a prosecution—
- (a) buries, cremates, transports out of Singapore or otherwise uses or disposes of; or
- (b) causes to be buried, cremated, transported out of Singapore or otherwise used or disposed of,
that body, without the order of a Coroner under subsection (3), shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
Coroner to report to Public Prosecutor if body is released without inquiry
23. In every case where a body is released by an order of a Coroner under section 22 and no inquiry is held, the Coroner shall report the facts to the Public Prosecutor with his reasons for not holding an inquiry.
