INQUEST handbook

The INQUEST handbook is a free and trusted guide for bereaved families and friends going through an inquest.

The handbook gives you detailed information on the investigation and inquest procedures after a death. It is a complete and easy-to-understand resource which can be used by families and bereavement professionals.

It has been developed and shaped by bereaved families we work with, and helps prepare bereaved people for the inquest process in England and Wales.

What does the handbook cover?

It includes advice and information on:

  • What happens after a sudden death?
  • Post-mortem examinations and the rights of bereaved people
  • The process before and during an inquest, including when you may need legal advice and how to fund it
  • Deaths in police and prison custody, immigration detention, mental health settings and deaths involving multi-agency failings or where wider issues of state and corporate accountability are in question
  • Contacts of voluntary, government and professional organisations working on mental health, criminal justice and immigration issues

How can I access the handbook?

Access the INQUEST handbook online

Download a PDF of the INQUEST handbook

The facts are laid out in a very accessible way and the explanations are clear and concise and helpful to families like ours, bewildered by the situation we find ourselves in.

Bereaved family member

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