Bereaved families now have the support and information they need to get through the difficult and emotional process of dealing with their loved one's affairs, a review of the Coroners' Service for Northern Ireland said today.

An inspection report praised the service for progress made in the last 18 months in working with grieving families.

Chief Inspector at the Criminal Justice Inspectorate (CJI) Dr Michael Maguire said there had been positive work.

"Without doubt the biggest achievement of the CSNI in the last 18 months is that bereaved families now have the support and information they need to get through this difficult and emotional process," he said.

"The staff of the Coroners' Service Northern Ireland are exemplary in their approach and it is the personality and character of the individuals themselves which make this service one that the Northern Ireland Court Service can be proud of."

The follow-up review carried out on behalf of Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Court Administration (HMICA) assessed the progress made by the Coroners' Service to implement recommendations made following its initial inspection in 2007.

Dr Maguire said: "This review shows that management and staff within the CSNI took on board the recommendations made by inspectors to improve their organisation, and have worked to deliver significant improvement especially in relation to how the service engages with bereaved families."