Welcome to Voicing Loss

Voicing Loss: A research and policy project on the role of bereaved people in coroners’ investigations and inquests

Illustration of a person sitting under a tree

About Voicing Loss

Coroners in England and Wales are independent judicial officers who investigate violent, unnatural and unexplained deaths, and deaths in prison or other forms of state detention. Every year, around 200,000 deaths are reported to the coroner, and well over 30,000 inquests are held.

The Voicing Loss project has examined the role of bereaved people in coroners’ investigations and inquests. The researchers conducted interviews with bereaved people, coronial professionals and witnesses, in addition to reviewing law, policy and existing research.

The research for Voicing Loss was conducted by the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research at Birkbeck, University of London, and the Centre for Death & Society at the University of Bath, with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (grant reference ES/V002732/1).

On this website, you will find research papers and policy and practice briefings based on the Voicing Loss research. The website also provides general information about coroners’ investigations and inquests, links to related resources, and a series of Expert Insights authored by leading professionals and others with in-depth knowledge and diverse experiences of the coroner service.

The research team gratefully acknowledge the help and support of many individuals and organisations.

Research

Key research findings presented in a summary report and three thematic papers. A separate paper outlines the research context and methodology.

Information & Resources

Information for those who want to know more about the coroner service:

Policy & Practice

Implications of the Voicing Loss findings for policy and practice reform, set out in two Policy Briefs and three Principles for Practice papers.

Expert Insights

Reflections on many different aspects of coroners’ investigations and inquests, from leading professionals and others with diverse knowledge, experiences and expertise.

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During my time as Chief Coroner, I much appreciated receiving regular updates on the Voicing Loss project. I welcome the publication of the research, which I am sure will advance understanding of the role of bereaved people in the coronial process, and make an important contribution to policy and practice reform.

Source

HHJ Thomas Teague KC

Position

Chief Coroner December 2020 to May 2024

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INQUEST has welcomed the opportunity to work with the Voicing Loss team on this wide-ranging and unique project. This research is grounded in the experiences of bereaved families, some of whom came together at INQUEST’s Family Listening Day. It provides profound insights into families’ experiences of the coroner service and the urgent need for change. The voices of bereaved families are too strong and their stories too compelling to be ignored.

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Deborah Coles

Position

Executive Director, INQUEST

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I should like to endorse this important research conducted by Professor Jacobson and her colleagues. They submitted some of their findings to the Justice Committee in the 2019-2024 Parliament to assist in its inquiry into the Coroner Service for England and Wales. The deep and nuanced account they provided of the attitudes and experiences of bereaved people within the coronial process helped the Committee to identify areas where the service is currently falling short. The Committee took the view, among other things, that the Ministry of Justice should reconsider how it provides information to bereaved people who are attempting to navigate the Coroners Service.
It is essential that policy-makers and Parliamentarians hear the voices of people who have experienced the systems they are examining. In-depth academic research of the sort exemplified by “Voicing Loss” can be an extremely effective way of achieving this aim.

Source

Sir Bob Neill KC (Hon)

Position

former Chair of the Justice Select Committee

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Whatever your role as a professional participating in an inquest, keeping at the forefront of your mind the impact of the entire process on the bereaved will ensure that you carry out your own function with appropriate humanity. The Voicing Loss project provides all who work in the coronial world with important insight into the perspectives and experiences of those who have lost loved ones.

Source

Bridget Dolan KC

Position

Barrister and Assistant Coroner

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I know it's all about the death, but somehow it becomes about their life when you've got the inquest.

Source

Mother

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There was a sense of playing a game you didn’t fully understand, by their rules.

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Father

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When [my daughter] died, people stopped saying her name. You’re not going round the house, yelling her name or saying her name in conversation. We come to the inquest, and her name is being used almost every other sentence, which was wonderful. It’s heart-breaking, but it was wonderful.

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Mother

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It is a clunky system, which is not geared up for pain. It’s geared up for process.

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Father

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The whole thing was dignified, sensitive, inclusive – beautifully managed by the coroner. It was transformational in terms of both the outcome but also the experience of how it was conducted. The coroner was very clear. She was very courteous. She was very unofficious. She made sure I was able to ask my question. She asked me if I had any other questions. It was just dignified. It wasn’t frightening.

Source

Partner

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During the whole process, I just felt we were shadows.

Source

Mother