If someone you know has died, or you are helping someone you know deal with a death where an inquest is to be held, The Inquest Handbook will give you information about the inquest procedure and what will happen after a sudden, violent or unnatural death.

Developed in collaboration with other specialist advice agencies and bereaved people who have been through the difficult circumstances of a death involving a coroner’s inquest, The Inquest Handbook is the fully revised and redesigned second edition of INQUEST’s comprehensive guide to the coroners’ inquest system in England and Wales.

Written in informal language in a question and answer format, it is clear and easy to understand. The Inquest Handbook contains information and advice 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 find and fund it;
• coping with a death and an inquest.

There is also a comprehensive contacts section listing other sources of help and information, further reading and a directory of voluntary, government and professional organisations.

Specialist sections deal with contentious deaths including: in police custody or following police contact; in prison; and of detained psychiatric patients.

Also included is information about inquests following work-related deaths and deaths involving poor medical treatment in hospital or the community.

To access the handbook, please go to the INQUEST website and you will find it in the “Help & Advice” section.