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Tieng Anh Vui
Most inquests in England and Wales will be completed within six months under a new code of standards for coroners which has come into effect.
The legal framework launched by the Ministry of Justice follows complaints that bereaved families in some areas have had to wait years for a hearing.
The service will be overseen by the first chief coroner Judge Peter Thornton QC.
All 96 coroners will also be subject to mandatory training requirements.
Coroners courts investigate the medical cause of death, if it is not known, or if it appears to be unnatural or as a result of violence.
The overhaul to the system follows a consultation and aims to make the inquest process more efficient.
The Ministry of Justice says it will end "past inconsistencies which led to criticisms of a postcode lottery with bereaved people in some areas facing long waits".
Justice minister Helen Grant said: "I want to see all coroners delivering the same efficient service across the board, and we have put these changes in law so people can be assured inquests are being conducted quickly, with adequate care and the right support available for those who lose loved ones."
Each year more than 30,000 inquests are held in England and Wales and individual coroners have up to now been responsible for holding hearings "as soon as practicable".
Under the new rules, coroners will have to complete inquests within six months of being informed of a death "or as soon as is reasonably practicable after that date".
Inquests can be delayed by factors, such as waiting for criminal proceedings to be completed.
Any inquests that last more than a year must be reported to the newly-appointed chief coroner.
The rules also mean coroners will have to release the body to the bereaved family as soon as they can - or inform them if it is going to take longer than 28 days.
The government's consultation on changes noted that some faith groups - notably Muslims and Jewish people - had voiced concerns about releasing bodies for funerals.
Coroners will also have to notify the bereaved within a week of setting the date for the inquest and provide greater access to documents and evidence, such as post-mortem reports, before the inquest takes place.
The new laws will also allow coroners to permit less invasive post-mortem examinations - another concern raised by faith groups.
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