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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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We Need to Talk About Death

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Joan Bakewell and her panel discuss death and dying.

Joan Bakewell and her panel discuss death and dying, exploring the choices open to us and confronting the questions we fear the most.

We Need to Talk About Death podcast

We Need to Talk About Death: Series 3: Death Unexplained

Death Unexplained

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - We Need to Talk About Death, Series 3, Death Unexplained

Why is a sudden, yet not unexpected, death of someone old or ill, referred to a coroner?

Joan Bakewell asks the Chief Coroner of England & Wales what happens when a sudden, yet not unexpected, death of the old or ill is referred to a coroner.

Why is a sudden, but not unexpected, death of someone very old or very ill, referred to a coroner to investigate?  What happens then?  These investigations are rarely talked about but are surprisingly common. 

Joan Bakewell explores the issues with her panel, including His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft QC, in his first broadcast as Chief Coroner of England and Wales. 

He reveals what the coroner process involves, from the first investigations to when a post-mortem or an inquest become necessary.

Having heard from listeners who felt implicated after the sudden arrival of the police, and whose bereavement was affected by the process that followed, Joan asks how people can best navigate the system when the death of a relative is referred to a coroner.

Producer: Beth Eastwood

We Need to Talk About Death: Series 3

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Joan Bakewell chairs a panel of experts to talk about what happens in Britain when we die

Joan Bakewell chairs a panel of experts to talk openly about what happens in Britain when we die.

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We Need to Talk About Death

Series 3

Death Unexplained

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