Jump to:
- Engaging with the coroner process
- What to do after someone dies, and support with grief & bereavement
- Alcohol, other drugs and gambling
We offer sources relating to the coroner process itself; what needs to be done after someone dies; grief and bereavement support; and support following an alcohol, other drug or gambling-related deaths.
All links and information are correct as of April 2026.
Engaging with the coroner process
- The Ministry of Justice Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People provides bereaved people with an explanation of the coroner investigation and inquest. It also includes links to other organisations that may also provide help and advice.
- The Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS) offers practical and emotional information and support to families and witnesses attending the coroner’s court. In some courts there are trained volunteers who can support people who have to attend an inquest. The CCSS also provides a national helpline (tel: 0300 111 2141; email: [email protected]).
- INQUEST is a charity providing expertise on state-related deaths and their investigation to bereaved people, lawyers, advice and support agencies, NGOs, activists, the media and parliamentarians. It has a detailed handbook for bereaved families, friends and advisors. The charity’s online Skills and Support Toolkit provides practical advice for families and friends dealing with the aftermath of a death in custody or detention. The website provides a range of other resources including Factsheets and a Family Hub.
- The judiciary.uk website provides general information about coroners and inquests. This includes a list of coroner areas and senior coroner appointments, and access to Prevention of Future Deaths reports.
- We have put together a list of all 74 coroner areas in England and Wales, along with the links to the webpages or website for each area.
- Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) is a charity that supports patient safety and justice. It provides advice on inquests for people affected by avoidable harm in healthcare.
- The Centre for Military Justice is a charity providing free services to current and former members of the armed forces and bereaved families. This includes advice on inquests, and an inquest support and legal representation service.
What to do after someone dies, and support with grief & bereavement
- The government provides a step by step guide on what to do when someone dies. This includes help on what to do if someone dies abroad.
- The Bereavement Advice Centre is a free information service run by Co-op Legal Services. It also provides guidance on registering a death and the coronial process.
- At a Loss is a bereavement charity that offers practical and emotional support after someone dies. It also provides information on findings local bereavement suppport services.
- The Good Grief Trust brings together a wide range of bereavement advice and support. It includes what to do when someone dies, and finding local support services.
- The National Bereavement Service gives a range of practical and emotional support relating to death, grief and bereavement.
- Bereavement services offered by local authorities can be found here.
- Brake supports people bereaved and seriously injured through by road crashes.
- Child Bereavement UK helps children, young people, parents and families following the death of a child.
- The Compassionate Friends supports bereaved parents and their families.
- Cruse Bereavement Support provides bereavement support and information,
- Disaster Action provides resources and information for the bereaved and survivors of major disasters that occur in the UK and overseas.
- RoadPeace provides information and support services to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes.
- Sands seeks to reduce the number of babies dying and supports those affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth.
- SUDC UK is a charity dedicated to awareness, research and family support relating to sudden unexplained death in childhood.
- Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) offers a range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter.
- Support After Suicide Partnership brings together bereavement organisations and people with lived experience to improve support for those bereaved by suicide.
- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) provides peer-led support to adults impacted by suicide loss.
- The War Widows Association campaigns to improve the lives of war widows and widowers.
- Winston’s Wish provides a range of services for children and young people who have been bereaved.
Alcohol, other drugs and gambling
- Addiction Family Support provides help to people affected by a loved one’s harmful use of alcohol, drugs or gambling.
- Nottingham grief and substance use service offers a drop-in service and structured support to people in the area affected by bereavement following substance use.
- Gambling with Lives is a support and campaigning charity focused on gambling-related suicides.
- Peter Cartwright, is an experienced counsellor and trained. He has developed a series of support videos for those affected by substance use. One of these videos focuses on substance-related bereavement.
- Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs is a national charity in Scotland. Its work includes supporting bereaved families, so this may be relevant if you live in Scotland but the death/inquest was in England and Wales.