Inquest
Read about inquests, which are legal investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding a persons death, including how, when and why the death occurred.
An inquest will be opened soon after the death. This allowsthe death tobe recorded, the deceasedto be identified and thecoroner togive authorisation fora burial or cremation to take place as soon as p
Most inquests are carried out by the coroner alone. However, in some circumstances, the coroner willcall a jury to decide the verdict. For example, a jury will be required ifthe death occurred in pri
Relatives of the deceased can attend an inquest and are able to ask the witnesses questions. However, they're only able to ask questions relating to the medical cause and circumstances of the death.