Facts for Families9th July 2026
What is an Inquest?
An inquest is a legal investigation led by a coroner. Its purpose is to establish:
- Who the person was
- When they died
- Where they died
- How they died (the medical cause and circumstances)
Inquests are usually held when a death is sudden, unexplained, or when there are concerns about care.
Expected and unexpected deaths (in simple terms)
- Expected death: The person was known to be near the end of life or seriously unwell, and death was not anticipated.
- Unexpected death: The person died suddenly, earlier than expected, or in a way that was not anticipated.
Unexpected deaths are more likely to be referred to the coroner and may lead to an inquest.
What should you expect after a death?
If your family member was supported by a care provider, NHS service or local authority:
- The next of kin should be contacted as soon as possible.
- You should be spoken to sensitively, usually by phone or in person.
- The organisation has a legal duty of candour, meaning they must be open and honest with you.
You should receive information in writing, including:
- What is known so far about the death
- What investigations or reviews will happen next
Your role as a family
You have the right to be involved if you wish. This includes:
- Asking questions
- Suggesting areas you want looked into
- Sharing concerns about care or treatment with the care provider, regulator and/or coroner
- Requesting copies of care or medical records
It can help to keep notes of who you speak to and when.
What does the Coroner do?
- Decides whether a post-mortem is needed
- Decides whether an inquest should take place
- Looks after the body until it can be released
If there is an inquest:
- You can still make funeral arrangements (using interim paperwork)
- The coroner should take account of religious or cultural needs
- You are classed as an “interested person” and can take part
You can appoint a lawyer or other legal representative for the inquest. Legal aid is only available in some cases, so families may need to pay for legal support themselves or agree funding arrangements with a law firm. For more information see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legal-aidexceptional-case-funding-form-and-guidance
What happens at an inquest?
- The coroner hears evidence from professionals involved
- Families (or their lawyers) may ask questions
- Some inquests have a hearing beforehand to agree what will be covered
- Most inquests are heard by the coroner alone, as jury inquests are rare, although families can ask for a jury inquest and explain why they believe one is needed.
After the inquest
- The coroner may issue a “Prevention of Future Deaths” report
- This highlights concerns and makes recommendations
- Organisations must respond within 56 days, explaining what action they will take
If you think there should be an inquest
- You can write to the coroner explaining your concerns
- A Coroner’s Officer can help guide you
- You can have legal representation, though legal aid is limited
Important points to remember
- Families have a right to know what happened
- Inquests are about answers and learning
- You do not have to go through this alone – support is available
- It’s okay to take time before deciding how involved you want to be