What Happens if the Cause of Death Was Suicide?

Stephanie Tribe
May 25
2 min read

When someone dies by suicide, families are often faced with not only deep personal grief but also practical and legal complexities. Understanding how the cause of death is documented, and what options exist around privacy and support, can help ease some of the uncertainty during such a sensitive time.

How Is Suicide Documented?

In Australia, deaths that are unexpected, sudden, or the result of injury must be reported to the state or territory coroner. When suicide is suspected, the coroner investigates the circumstances thoroughly, which may involve medical reports, personal history, and police findings.

Following the investigation, the cause of death may be documented in:

The Coroner’s Report
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
The official Death Certificate, issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Depending on jurisdiction and family preferences, the language used on public documents may vary. Some states allow for terminology such as “self-inflicted injury” or less specific descriptions when requested.

The Role of the Coroner

Coroners are focused on understanding how and why a person has died—not on assigning blame. Their work also helps inform public health strategies and prevent future tragedies. An inquest may be held in some cases, particularly where the death occurred in care, custody, or involves broader community concern.

Find more about coronial processes here:

Will It Affect Insurance or Superannuation?

A common concern is how suicide might affect life insurance or superannuation benefits:

Most life insurance policies in Australia do cover suicide—but often not within the first 12–13 months of taking out the policy
Superannuation death benefits are typically unaffected by cause of death, though exclusions are rare and case-specific

It’s advisable to check the policy details or speak with a financial adviser to clarify any concerns.

Options for Privacy

Families sometimes wish to limit public disclosure of the cause of death:

Some states allow for abridged death certificates without the cause of death listed
Requests for sensitive wording or to suppress publication of coronial findings may be considered

Grief and Support

Grieving after a death by suicide is often layered with shock, unanswered questions, and sometimes stigma. It’s important to know that support is available and you are not alone.

People may experience: