What legal processes happen after an unexpected mental health death? A brief guide for families and friends

Summary

When someone dies by suicide, or by a self-inflicted death, including in a psychosis, or a mental health homicide (when a person is killed by someone experiencing mental illness), it is initially called an unexplained death by the Police and it is referred to the Coroner in the area the person died. For families the processes that follow can be confusing and distressing. Trying to navigate your way through these processes at a time of profound traumatic grief can feel almost impossible. This brief guide from Making Families Count provides an overview of what might happen and signposts you to further information and sources of support.