Speak Their Name Launches Guidance for Coroners on Suicide Inquests

A charity founded by families bereaved by suicide has launched new national guidance aimed at improving how coroners support families during inquests.

Speak Their Name, set up to amplify the voices of those who have lost loved ones to suicide, says the guidance is designed to strengthen the experience of families at one of the most difficult moments in their lives.

The new programme, titled Guidance for Coroners from Suicide Bereaved Families and Campaigners, draws on feedback from hundreds of families across the country. It is intended as a collaborative effort rather than criticism, with the charity recognising that the vast majority of coroners carry out their duties with professionalism and care.

Ten areas for meaningful change

At the heart of the guidance are ten areas where the charity says small changes can make a significant difference:

1. Recognising that every family and every inquest is unique, and that grief is individual.

2. Providing a single named point of contact within the coroner’s office.

3. Ensuring families understand their options about attendance and participation, and are given genuine choice.

4. Offering preparation that is both practical and emotional, including explaining what will happen and what families may hear.

5. Considering how court environments, security processes and waiting arrangements can affect those in distress.

6. Communicating clearly during the inquest, avoiding unnecessary distress and acknowledging the human story behind the legal process.

7. Recognising the importance of aftercare, particularly once proceedings conclude.

8. Taking reasonable steps to protect families from avoidable additional trauma caused by media intrusion.

9. Promoting transparency, timely disclosure and appropriate support through collaboration with external agencies, particularly in complex or Article 2 inquests.

10. Prioritising humanity, dignity and respect so families feel heard and confident that the facts are being established.

‘About partnership’

Ashley Redsell, Director at Speak Their Name, said:

“Coroners fulfil an essential public duty, and many families tell us about professionals who showed them real kindness and integrity. Our aim is to build on that good practice, and share what bereaved families tell us makes the biggest difference.

This guidance is about partnership. It’s about ensuring that, alongside determining the facts of a death, the process itself does not compound trauma. If we can embed these ten principles consistently, we can create a system where families feel properly prepared, genuinely heard, and treated with humanity at every stage.”

Val Ribbons, Group Lead for Cornwall, added:

“Experiencing an inquest showed me how complex these cases can be. Families are often navigating deep grief while trying to understand legal processes. Working collaboratively with coroners and their teams is the most constructive way to ensure compassion and transparency go hand in hand.”

Seminar programme and next steps

The programme includes seminars featuring direct feedback from bereaved families, alongside examples of best practice from across the coronial service. Sessions are delivered in a supportive and confidential environment, acknowledging the emotional weight of the subject matter for all involved.

Speak Their Name hopes the campaign will encourage open dialogue and shared learning across the coronial system, contributing to a more consistently compassionate experience for families nationwide.

For more information about the guidance or to request a session, contact Speak Their Name at [email protected].