Families could be given a greater role in the registering of
their loved one’s death following an inquest under a planned
Government consultation.
The proposals announced in the House of Commons yesterday (4
December) follows the tireless campaigning of families of victims
of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack who felt it was unfair
that the law prevented them playing a role in the registration of
their childrens’ deaths, as well as the families of victims of
other tragedies such as the Hillsborough disaster and Grenfell
fire, and local MPs.
Currently, the coroner provides information for registration of a
death where an inquest has taken place. This is in contrast with
non-inquest deaths where family members are able to provide
information about their loved one themselves.
Justice Minister said:
The loss of a loved one is a devastating blow and for it to
happen in a senseless attack or a national tragedy is all the
harder for loved ones to bear.
It is only right we look carefully at where we can reform the law
so that families can play a greater role in registering the death
as one final act for their loved.
The consultation will take into account proposals within the Data
Protection & Digital Information Bill which will change how
deaths are registered, moving from registration in paper
registers to an electronic register. This will allow for
alternative methods of registration to be considered in the
future.
The consultation will be published in due course.
