Inquest

[-SharonA-]

A far flung cousin of hubby who died has to have an inquest due to the nature of his death.

Does anyone who has had experience of inquests know how long after the death the inquest is held. As until the inquest is held we cannot bury the body.

[LadyCG]

Have they said why you can't have the funeral?

My brother died 14 Feb 2004, buried 25 Feb 2004, inquest May 2005.

[barry1010]

It very much depends on the circumstances as to whether the funeral can take place before the inquest.  The coroner has to be satisfied that no other party will demand another post mortem later on.

When the inquest will take place also depends on the circumstances.   Sometimes it can take place within a few weeks of the death, other times months. 

[jourdain2]

I am surprised that you have not been issued an interim certificate to bury the body.

My Godson died early last May. He had taken his own life and there had to be a post-mortem, after which the coroner issued a certificate; so he was buried a couple of weeks later at the end of May.

There has to be an Inq

[jourdain2]

^^^ an inquest  (for some reason the page jumped, sorry) which was scheduled for early this year.

This is because there is a question over the responsibility of the NHS (his employer) regarding his action.  The inquest was postponed because the NHS had not submitted evidence or replied to official demands and is now due to take place next month.  That is 18 months since his death.  So you may have a long wait.

My dear brother-in-law died on August 28th. There had to be a post-mortem, after which the Coroner issued a temporary Death Certificate so he could be buried.  This happened 2 days ago.  Again, there may have to be an inquest to establish historic liability (asbestosis).  Meanwhile all his accounts etc. remain frozen and my sister cannot apply for probate.  

Good luck. We're just finding our way.

[-SharonA-]

They haven't made it quite clear. We have interim certificate & their wording says we have to wait for official certificate.

Quote ' a funeral date cannot be determined until the official death certificate has been issued. '

[calmck]

Maybe they need to clarify the cause of death

[bednobs]

each case is different.

My daughter died jan 20, we had a interim certificate a month or so ater.  Her body wasnt released till July21, funeral july 21, inquest opened but postponed in summer 20, held in october 21

[jaydj]

when my mum passsed in May we had to wait over a month before we could book the funeral because they said she was only in hospital for a few hours before she died and had to check the nature of death.....Also they were busy so they said.... Made a sad/bad event even worse for me :( 

[-SharonA-]

So sorry to hear your sad tales. The family has resigned itself to a wait of 6 months. Not good.

[barry1010]

When our friend was in a similar situation the family decided to hold a memorial service, in church, long before the body was released, with a private funeral when that time came.  Of course it wouldn't have to be in a church.

It gave family, friends, neighbours, colleagues a chance to gather and give condolences as well as remember and share memories.

It might not be for you and your family, Sharon, but worth mentioning.   It was not unusual to have a service without the body these days.

[-SharonA-]

That is a brilliant idea Barry! I will be mentioning to the family.

[Canary42]

The memorial service is a good idea. When my stepfather died the nearest crematorium was some 25 miles from home town, so family only attended and we had a well-attended memorial service in home town a few days later.