Suicide of a loved one: police investigation, autopsy and release of the body

The mandatory intervention of the public prosecutor and the police

In Switzerland, any unnatural death automatically triggers a legal procedure. The Code of Criminal Procedure requires the intervention of the public prosecutor and the police in the event of suicide. This procedure is systematic and mandatory, regardless of the situation.

The objective: to establish the exact circumstances of the death and exclude any third-party intervention. The public prosecutor orders the necessary investigations, whilst the police carry out on-site observations. A forensic pathologist may also intervene.

This police death procedure does not signify any suspicion towards the family. It is a legal framework applied uniformly to protect all parties. The authorities act with professionalism and respect.

For procedures after a natural death, the process differs considerably.

Who to call and in what order

Faced with a suicide, contact the police immediately on 117. If you discover the person and have doubts about their condition, first call the emergency services on 144.

An essential rule: do not touch anything before the authorities arrive. Do not move any objects, do not clean the premises. This precaution facilitates the investigation work and speeds up the procedure.

Unlike a natural death at home where you call the treating doctor, here the police take over immediately. The procedures after suicide follow a specific protocol.

Relatives present on site will need to remain available to give evidence. Prepare to answer the investigators' questions.

The course of the preliminary investigation

The police generally arrive within 30 to 60 minutes. Officers secure the premises and carry out initial observations. A forensic pathologist officially certifies the death.

Relatives present are questioned separately. Questions concern the last few days, the psychological state of the deceased, any warning signs. These testimonies help to reconstruct the context.

The police may seize certain items: farewell letter, mobile phone, medication. These items will be analysed and then returned. Photographs of the premises are systematically taken.

This phase generally lasts a few hours. The responders are trained to act with tact and respect. They understand the shock you are going through and adapt their approach.

The forensic autopsy: why and how

In the majority of suicide cases, the public prosecutor orders a forensic autopsy. This decision does not belong to the family, who generally cannot oppose it.

The objective is twofold: to confirm the exact cause of death and formally exclude any third-party intervention. The examination also establishes whether substances (medication, alcohol) were present in the body.

The autopsy is carried out by a forensic pathologist in a specialised institute. The body is treated with respect and dignity. Incisions are carefully closed, allowing presentation of the deceased afterwards.

This stage extends the timeframe before the funeral, but it is essential to close the investigation and obtain the burial permit.

Timeframes and impact on funeral arrangements

The investigation and autopsy delay the release of the body. Generally allow between 2 and 7 days, sometimes more if the case is complex. These timeframes vary according to canton and the workload of forensic institutes.

It is impossible to set a funeral date before receiving the burial permit. This uncertainty complicates planning and notification of distant relatives.

You can however contact a funeral home in parallel to prepare the ceremony: choice of coffin, type of ceremony, location. The service provider simply waits for official authorisation to collect the body.

Anticipate these timeframes in your communication with those around you. It is better to warn of a wait than to have to postpone an announced date.

The release of the body and the burial permit

Once the investigation is complete, the public prosecutor authorises the release of the body. This decision means that the body can be released and handed over to the family.

The civil registrar of the municipality where the death occurred then issues the burial permit. This official document authorises burial or cremation. Without it, no funeral can take place.

Documents required: identity document of the deceased, family record book, forensic death certificate. The funeral home generally takes care of collecting the body from the forensic institute.

You can request to see your loved one after the release of the body. Institutes organise viewings in suitable rooms. This moment can be important for the grieving process.

Professional cleaning of the scene

A little-known reality: after their intervention, the police and emergency services do not clean the place of death. This responsibility falls to the family or the property owner.

Never attempt to clean yourself. Suicide scenes present significant health risks (pathogens, biological substances). The emotional impact of such cleaning can be traumatic.

Companies specialising in post-traumatic cleaning intervene in these situations. They have the necessary equipment, products and training. Their work complies with hygiene and safety standards.

Contact these professionals as soon as possible. Some intervene urgently, 24/7. They act with discretion and empathy, aware of the human dimension of their mission.

Who bears the costs

The forensic autopsy ordered by the public prosecutor is borne by the State. The family does not pay for this examination, unlike a voluntarily requested autopsy.

Professional cleaning of the premises remains the responsibility of the family or property owner. Allow between 1,500 and 5,000 CHF depending on the scale of the intervention. Some household or liability insurance policies cover these costs: check your contracts.

Funeral costs are deducted from the deceased's estate. If this is insufficient, the municipality covers a simple burial.

Contact your insurance company quickly to find out the terms of coverage. Keep all invoices and documents relating to interventions.

Managing administrative aspects in parallel

Whilst waiting for the release of the body, certain procedures after suicide can be anticipated. Contact a funeral home to prepare the ceremony: type of funeral, choice of coffin, ceremony location.

Consider the content of the death notice. You can draft it in advance and publish it upon receipt of the burial permit. On Funere, publication takes just a few minutes for 180 CHF.

Consult our guide on the first steps after a death for an overview. Even if the situation differs, certain stages remain identical.

Prepare the list of people to notify. Once the date is set, you will be able to publish the death notice quickly to inform those around you.

Psychological support: essential resources

Grief after a suicide is particularly complex. Guilt, incomprehension, anger, shame: these emotions intertwine and can be overwhelming. Do not remain alone facing this trauma.

La Main Tendue (143) is available 24/7. This free and anonymous listening service supports people in distress and relatives of suicide victims. Listeners are trained for this specific situation.

Other resources exist: psychologists specialising in traumatic grief, support groups for those bereaved by suicide, prevention associations. Your treating doctor can guide you.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a courageous and necessary step. Professional support facilitates the grieving process and prevents psychological complications.

Support for children and adolescents

Children and adolescents experience the suicide of a loved one in a particularly intense way. Their understanding of death and their ability to manage emotions vary according to age.

Do not hide the truth, but adapt it to their level of maturity. Lies create confusion and can break trust. Young people sense when something is wrong.

Specialised resources exist: CIAO.ch offers information adapted to adolescents, Pro Juventute (147) offers confidential listening for young people. Psychologists specialising in childhood grief can support the child.

Monitor behavioural changes: sleep disorders, academic disengagement, isolation. Early support prevents long-term difficulties.

Communicating with relatives and those around you

Announcing a suicide is particularly difficult. The weight of social taboo is added to your own shock. You have no obligation to reveal the exact circumstances if you do not wish to.

In the death notice, you choose what you mention. Some families indicate "sudden death" or "tragic death", others specify "suicide". Both approaches are legitimate and respectable.

Prepare for questions and clumsy reactions. Some people will not know what to say. Others will make hurtful comments without realising it. Protect your privacy whilst allowing sincere loved ones to support you.

The gaze of others can weigh heavily. Remember that you do not have to justify or explain. Your priority is your own grieving process.

Honouring the memory despite the circumstances

Suicide does not define the entirety of a life. Your loved one was much more than their tragic end. The funeral is an opportunity to celebrate who he or she was: their qualities, their passions, the moments shared.

The ceremony allows collective contemplation. It acknowledges the suffering of the deceased whilst honouring their memory. Choose what seems right to you: music, texts, testimonies.

After the funeral, an online memorial page offers a permanent space of remembrance. On Funere, you can create a Memories page to share photos and positive memories. Loved ones can leave their messages and anecdotes there.

This digital space allows you to focus on the good times, on the loved person rather than on the circumstances of death. A space of light in the darkness of grief.

After a suicide, administrative and legal procedures are added to the pain of bereavement. The intervention of the public prosecutor, the police investigation and the forensic autopsy are mandatory stages that can delay the organisation of the funeral by several days. These procedures, although difficult to experience, make it possible to establish the circumstances of death and release the burial permit.

In parallel, practical aspects do not stop: professional cleaning of the scene, management of costs, routine administrative procedures. Psychological support becomes essential, for you as for your loved ones, particularly children who require appropriate support.

Despite these particular circumstances, honouring the memory of the deceased person remains possible and important. Once the burial permit is obtained, you will be able to publish a death notice online to inform those around you with dignity and create a space for contemplation accessible to all, 24/7.