Suicide

[jacey]

A couple of years ago my mum committed suicide she left a note and there were no queries or anything. I was surprised though when I got her Death Certificate that they had put cause of death as "She killed herself" to me it almost sounded like disapproval ( which anyone is entitled to) but wouldn't it be better to just put committed suicide?? Or is it just me being sensitive?? ( Wasn't sure which section to put this in )

[Aschenbach]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

I know that in countries like Canada it's not possible to commit suicide because it's not a crime to do so (ie if it's not a crime you can't 'commit' it). Therefore the only alternative is to say someone killed herself.

If you're in England perhaps there is a trend towards the latter wording because it's thought of as insensitive to describe the death as a crime although, unfortunately, in your case, it was interpreted as judgmental.

[jacey]

 Thankyou for your answer Aschenbach, that really makes sense and I can see it all in a different light now :)

[twiglet4frog]

suprised that suicide isnt used on the certificate as that is what a autopsy would have said and a court if it went that far so why not have that on a certificate, as end of the day that is what happened, commited is a strong word, suicide on its own i feel would be informative and a simple term to attribute, 

I am so very sorry for your loss

[AB Editor]

[removed from Duplicate Question]

It does sound very harsh jacey.  Surely, the correct term would be "Suicide" and leave it at that.  Sorry that you lost your Mum in such sad circumstances.
Submitted By: tetherend Date Submitted: Sat 21/05/05
 
 
    i agree - it sounds very insensitive to me, and obviously affected you deeply
 
Submitted By: crisgal Date Submitted: Sun 22/05/05
 

 
    Jacey i believe the correct wording should have been suicide however the same thing happened to my Cousins best friend.He killed himself & on his death certificate it said "He killed himself".
Submitted By: gerry Date Submitted: Sun 22/05/05
 

 
    This suggests to me that it is actually the "correct" official wording, probably from some 200 year old registrar;'s list.

Please don't take it personally.
 
Submitted By: ann_h Date Submitted: Sun 22/05/05
 
 
 
    (jacey requested a copy of my answer from another section)

I know that in countries like Canada it's not possible to commit suicide because it's not a crime to do so (ie it's ;it's not a crime you can't 'commit' it). Therefore the only alternative is to say someone killed herself.

If you're in England perhaps there is a trend towards the latter wording because it's thought of as insensitive to describe the death as a crime although, unfortunately, in your case, it was interpreted as judgmental.                
 
Submitted By: Aschenbach Date Submitted: Mon 23/05/05