SA coroner frustrated by mandatory inquest

A coroner has again criticised laws forcing him to conduct an inquest into the routine death of an elderly man in a nursing home.

South Australian Deputy Coroner Anthony Schapel says the mandatory inquest into the death of Ian Hunt, 82, from dementia in an Adelaide nursing home in February is a "wholly unnecessary" waste of time and resources.

"The cause of death in this case was clear from the outset," he said in his preliminary findings on Tuesday.

"So far nothing unusual or questionable has been revealed that would warrant a mandatory inquest."

This is the second time in recent months that Mr Schapel has taken aim at laws requiring an investigation into any death in custody.

Because Mr Hunt was subject to a guardianship order, he was considered to be in custody.

The coroner said the situation was further complicated by the fact his widow was waiting on the outcome of the inquest to access Mr Hunt's superannuation payments.

"It appears that the requirement of a cause of death is to be distinguished from proof of the bare fact of Mr Hunt's death, a fact that is already well understood and well documented," Mr Schapel said.

"The grief that a person might experience upon the death of a loved one on whom they were financially dependent can be compounded by delays ... especially where such access is withheld or delayed capriciously or for reasons that have no sensible basis in law, fact or logic."

In December, Mr Schapel said the death of another elderly man with dementia, James Shirra, forced an intricate, highly professional and time-consuming police investigation.