Caring for Bereaved People Anne Wadey Head of Bereavement Advice Centre LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

Coroners’ services may be resource poor for the demands placed upon them. How are people to deliver yet more? But much of this document is more about how people work rather than changing what is done. LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

Valuing the service Advocates for the dead to safeguard the living Coroners Officers and Staff Association valuing the individual – every death matters pursuit of truth – most families do want to know preventing future harm planning future services supporting justice LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

Adjusting the focus remember who holds the power in the relationship with families death disempowers – do we counter or exacerbate? most people are intimidated by legal processes the deceased is always the family’s relative/friend pro-active information gives confidence in both the process and the compassion of the people delivering it no matter how difficult the information most people will cope if it is offered carefully tell the truth, nothing but the truth but exercise care with the whole truth LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

Grief is a normal reaction to loss and is a collection of emotions and physical reactions that we experience after significant loss. It is not a ‘process’ through which one proceeds in a predictable predetermined pattern but a sometimes chaotic seeming journey comprising experiences that can be predicted will be experienced by most but not all. LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

Anyone who has contact with bereaved people has an effect, so first do no harm! Acknowledge what has happened Acknowledge the relationship Assess prior knowledge/experience Inform/explain Listen Answer questions/repeat explanations Give contact information and timescales LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

What do bereaved people need to know? Where is the deceased now and how long for? Why is the coroner involved? Essentials about a post mortem examination When can we have the funeral? When do we get the death certificate? Do I have any say in what happens? LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

Why do people contact BAC in relation to coronial services? lack of knowledge of the service – want an independent explanation lack of trust in ‘the system’ why is the coroner involved? access to post mortem examination results – new and old wanting to contribute additional information differentiation of complaint from cause of death what happens at an inquest? do I need a solicitor? how do I deal with other issues – no-one will talk to me LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

How do we respond? explain the value of the coroner’s service and how it works give callers time disentangle complaint/coroner/litigation/campaign issues encourage people to identify real concerns and how to communicate them refer as appropriate – PALS, complaint routes, AVMA, INQUEST We do NOT ask for their personal details or those of the deceased or the organisations involved unless needed to find other information for them LRSA Coroner's Service Conference

Health sector Coroner’s service Voluntary sector Funeral directors Family & friends Faith sector Legal services Bereavement Advice Centre Registration services

Thank you LRSA Coroner's Service Conference