THE death of a loved one is always traumatic. As well as the emotional turmoil, certain practical hurdles must be overcome: contacting relatives, arranging the funeral, obtaining the death certificate and so on. Many people find they cannot grieve properly until this process has been completed.

That is why the delays in dealing with York inquests are so distressing. Families have waited for seven months and more and yet still do not know when a hearing will take place. Until such a time, their questions are left unanswered.

Imagine how upsetting that must be. Deaths that are referred to coroners' courts are usually unexpected and sometimes violent. The relatives are devastated by their sudden loss. As well as dealing with their shock, they have to cope with the administration of death. Then they learn that this cannot be completed for months on end.

Such a delay elongates and intensifies the stress of bereavement, leaving family and friends unable to concentrate on grieving for their loss. They are left in an earthly purgatory.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about this problem. Perhaps the most notorious case in recent years was that of Zoe Fairley, the young woman who died after being restrained in a York care hostel. In April 1997, York council leader Rod Hills spoke of his anger that the authority had no powers to take action against the coroner over what was then a 19-month wait for an inquest into Zoe's death.

Responding to the new concerns, York coroner Donald Coverdale said that jury inquests take a long time to arrange. But seven months is too long. If all concerned made preparing and attending an inquest a higher priority, it would surely be possible to speed up this process.

The bereaved families today raised legitimate concerns. These should be investigated by the Home Office with a view to drawing up a plan to improve this unacceptable situation.