The body of serial killer Harold Shipman has been released to his family for burial after an inquest was opened and adjourned into his prison suicide.
Britain's most prolific murderer hung himself with his bed sheets in his cell at Wakefield prison earlier this month.
In a five-minute hearing this morning, the coroner said the inquest would be adjourned pending the outcome of further inquiries.
An independent inquiry has also been launched into the suicide to find out whether anyone failed to spot danger signals on Shipman's state of mind.
Shipman (57), was convicted in 2000 of murdering 15 of his patients and sentenced to life in prison. An inquiry later ruled he had murdered at least 215 of his patients with heroin injections.
No details were given about the funeral.