Following a death by suicide, an inquest will always be carried out. For those close to the deceased, this can be a challenging time – particularly if you don’t feel fully in-the-know about what will be happening.
We often hear from people who access our Suicide Bereavement Service that they were grateful for the support and information they received that helped them to prepare for an inquest.
Our Suicide Bereavement Service practitioners have shared some information about what inquests are and what to expect from them, in the hope that it will help others manage what can be a difficult and stressful process.
What is an inquest?
An inquest is a public court hearing held by the coroner in order to establish who died and how, as well as when and where the death occurred.
All deaths by suicide will be followed by an inquest.
Usually, an inquest will take place in the 12 months after the death. The death will be investigated and, where relevant, witnesses will be called upon to give evidence.
This can be a challenging time for those who have been bereaved by suicide. Inquests can feel long and uncomfortable, especially when your grief is still new.
Familiarising yourself with the way inquests work, their purpose, and the facts and myths of the process can help you to prepare yourself.
Key things to consider:
An inquest is held to discover facts – not to place blame
This means that the coroner cannot find a person or organisation criminally responsible for the death. However, if evidence is found that suggests someone may be to blame for the death, the coroner can pass all the evidence gathered to the police or Crown Prosecution Service.
Inquests are open to the public
Anyone can choose to attend, including media. It can be uncomfortable knowing the details of a death are accessible by the public, so it is something to consider ahead of time. While inquests are open to the public, only certain people can play an active part in an inquest.
While most inquests won’t be attended by the press, some might be. If you are unhappy with any press conduct or coverage of an inquest, you can file a complaint with the IPSO.
In most cases, you don’t have to attend an inquest
Unless you are called as a witness you can choose not to attend and inquest. People attend or don’t attend inquests for a variety of reasons. You might want to know the facts of the situation and attend for clarity on your bereavement. You might choose not to attend to avoid having to revisit the details. The choice is yours and you can do whatever feels right for you. The only circumstance in which you would be required to attend is if you are called to give evidence as a witness.
There may be a wait of 6 months or longer
If there are other agencies involved in an investigation, there might be a wait before an inquest can be held. Inquests may also be postponed after a date is set. This delay can impact grief and mental wellbeing.
The inquest may not be held in your local area
Inquests are held in the area the person died in or, if being repatriated, the area the plane lands in. This can create additional difficulties. As well as considering the practical needs around travelling, take care to consider how this travel could impact your wellbeing, and consider how you could alleviate some of the issues. For example, if you are not a confident driver, could you consider getting the train? If you are worried about being delayed, could you travel the day before and stay with a friend or in a hotel?
Most inquests for a death by suicide will not involve a jury
Juries are involved if someone takes their own life when in custody or in prison. For other cases of death by suicide, there is unlikely to be a jury present at the inquest.
Where are the coroner’s courts in West Yorkshire and Craven?
Wakefield
(covers Leeds and Wakefield)
Bradford
(covers Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale)
Northallerton
(covers Craven)
Practical tips for dealing with the inquest process
Because inquests can be a lengthy and difficult process, it is important to take steps to protect your mental and physical wellbeing before, during and after the hearing.
On the run up to the inquest
Access your support network, including friends, family, and phone helplines. Think about things you may need like childcare or having tea sorted as you might not feel up to it.
On the day
Think comfort. It can be a long day, so wear what you know you will feel comfortable in, pack a bottle of water and a snack, and take some change for car parking or vending machines.
After the inquest
One person reported: “When the inquest was over, me and my family stood outside the coroner’s court and just felt lost.” Their advice to others going through the same was to have something lined up to do, such as going out for dinner, or having a takeaway at home. Anything to have a small stepping stone to move forward towards.
Some people take the next day off work or need a break from their studies.
When the focus has been on an inquest it can feel that there is now a large amount of time with no focus and day to day living of life without the loved one can feel daunting. This is normal and grief support is available.
“It was difficult to hear some of the details and not knowing what to expect, but the inquest also helped answer some of the questions I had about what had been happening for the person that died. After the inquest, the car park was cash only and it felt overwhelming to try navigate an unfamiliar place at the end of the day to find a cash machine. Thankfully a very kind stranger offered me a handful of coins to pay for the parking, but my tip would be to think of the practical things – take cash, a snack and a drink, make sure your phone is charged and if you can, familiarise yourself with the location before the day”
What happens after an inquest?
- Once an inquest is concluded some people feel closure whilst others may not.
- You may be left with unanswered questions – although we may gain extra bits of information, an Inquest may not give us all the answers we need or hope for.
- You may have learned extra information that you struggle with. It’s important to reach out for support if this is the case.
How can I support someone who is attending an inquest?
If you know someone who is attending an inquest, there are ways you can offer support.
- Be mindful that this is a lengthy and traumatic process which can result in complicated grief.
- Encourage them to access support and prioritise self-care.
- Help them take care of the practical side of things (see above).
- Always prioritise what they want, over what you feel is best.
- Have open, supportive conversations with them to understand what they want or need from you.
Support available with Coroners Court Support Service
The Coroners Court Support Service is an independent voluntary service offering support for those going through the process of an inquest. They provide emotional and practical support on a voluntary basis.
They offer support with all inquests, not just those taking place because of a death by suicide. They do accept self-referrals and referrals by Suicide Bereavement practitioners, so if you think you could benefit from these services there are different ways to get in touch.
You can call the Coroners Court Support Services on their helpline or send them an email enquiry:
0300 111 2141
Info@ccsupport.org.uk
Useful websites
We draw on lots of useful resources when supporting the people who use our Suicide Bereavement Services through an inquest. These include:
- Help is at Hand – ask SBS for a booklet or download
- Advonet – advocacy support
If you have been affected by suicide, please consider accessing our Suicide Bereavement Services. You can find more information on the service here.
You can find more information and advice around losing someone to suicide on Mind’s website.
