The majority of witnesses to our inquiry, two Chief Coroners, and almost everyone who has been commissioned to review aspects of the Coroner Service sees the need for a unified service for England and Wales. There is unacceptable variation in the standard of service between Coroner areas. The quality of each local coroner service should not have to depend on the local authority and the Senior Coroner having a shared understanding and priorities. The Ministry of Justice should unite coroner services into a single service for England and Wales.