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What do I need to know?

An accurate date of death is the key to finding records of interest – the records are arranged in date order, and there is no name index.

How do I search?

You will need to order the record by year and then browse through dates to locate the name of the deceased

About these records

These admittance books from 1931 to 1959 contain information about deceased people whose bodies were sent to the City Mortuary/Coroner. This includes information about deaths where no inquest took place.

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What are in these records?

Information entered for each deceased usually includes:

  • the name of the deceased undertaker’s name
  • date and time of arrival and
  • the name, station, number and report of the police officer who accompanied the body.

It sometimes also includes some of the following:

  • the circumstances of death
  • the address of the deceased
  • the name of the doctor attending
  • the place of examination
  • whether a post mortem was conducted, by whom and the date, whether an inquest was held or a decision of death by natural causes entered
  • the person identifying the body, the deceased's regular doctor, the age and marital status of the deceased and a brief summary of the post-mortem result.

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples

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