Some deaths attract the attention of newspaper, TV and radio reporters, who want to find out what happened and why. They may be more likely to contact you if the death was unusual or involved a crime (see Criminal investigations). You may even want to contact a journalist yourself. 

The media can publish names and background information on people, unless barred by a judge from doing so.

Stories can be published and broadcast without speaking to relatives or friends. Journalists may, however, want to talk to you and will call you, knock on your door or approach you for comment.

You may be asked for photographs or home video of the person who died, and to be interviewed and photographed yourself.

Talking to journalists

Bereaved people can feel very differently about media interest in a death. Some are grateful for it, others dislike it, or are even disappointed that there isn’t more media coverage. It is up to you if you talk to journalists or not. 

Talking to journalists can help raise awareness of issues surrounding a death, or help find witnesses, if the death was due to an incident. 

It is important not to make comments that could affect a police investigation, a criminal trial or a compensation claim, where someone has been accused of causing a death.