An inquest is an inquiry into who has died and how, when and where the death occurred.
If the coroner decides to hold an inquest you will be told the date, time and place. The coroner may issue an order allowing burial or cremation before the inquest is completed, which may take some time. The coroner will issue a form to the registrar stating the cause of death and the verdict.
In this case you will not need to attend the registrar 's office in person.
You might like to take a family member or a friend to support you at the inquest. You can ask questions at the inquest and you might like to write down any questions you have before you go. Professionals like a police officer, paediatrician, pathologist or health visitor may be present. An inquest in a court is open to the public and the media may be there.
You can read more about what happens at inquests in the leaflet 'When sudden death occurs ' which you can get either from the coroner or from FSID by calling the Helpline (0870 787 0554).
Seeing your baby after the post mortem
You may have been able to hold your baby at home or in the hospital before they are taken to the mortuary. After the post mortem examination you may or may not choose to see and even hold your baby again. This can be helpful to some parents and is an opportunity to say 'good-bye '. You may wish to ask family members or anyone of your choice to be with you for support.
You can choose to see your baby in:
• the chapel of rest at either the hospital or the funeral directors
• in your own home, before the funeral.
You may choose to bathe or dress your baby and this could be done either in the mortuary, at the funeral directors or at home. You may choose only to wipe your baby 's face or hands. You can discuss this with your, priest, minister, funeral director, family doctor, health visitor or FSID.
After the post mortem examination the appearance of your baby may have changed, and if you decide to dress your baby, you should be prepared to see some signs of the examination. If you are unsure of how you will feel, ask family members or anyone of your choice to be with you for support.
You can have your baby in a Moses basket, carrycot or coffin before the funeral.
You may wish to ask your priest, minister or hospital chaplain to go with you to see the baby and say prayers, whether your baby has been baptised or not. Brothers and sisters should be allowed to come too, if they wish.
You may want to offer family and friends the opportunity to see your baby before the funeral.
Keepsakes
Photographs can be helpful. In addition, some people may wish to keep a lock of the baby 's hair or a card bearing a hand or foot print.
|
What Happens After a Sudden Death?
