The role of a Coroner's Officer varies greatly across England and Wales.

The Report on the Provision of Coroner's Officers (2002) published by the Home Office attempted to categorise some of the various tasks and roles performed by Coroner's Officers across the country. These were defined as:

• Forensic investigator
• Medical investigator
• Administrator
• Family liaison
• Statement taker & evidence gatherer
• Public relations manager
• Court usher

In some areas of England and Wales Coroner's Officers are police officers; in other areas, they are civilians employed by the police; in others they are employed by the local authority.

They work under the direction of the Coroner and liaise with bereaved families, police, doctors, funeral directors and many other professions.