Families who have lost loved ones through murder or manslaughter are facing heavy financial burdens as they try to pick up the pieces, research has shown.

Bereaved families have to deal with average costs of £37,000, according to a study by Louise Casey, commissioner for victims and witnesses.

That figure includes legal costs associated with ongoing court proceedings, travel to court, and counselling for adults and children coping with trauma.

In some cases, families even need to pay to clear up a murder scene, or have to move house if they cannot face living in the home or locality where the crime took place.

Casey, who surveyed 36 bereaved families, will present a policy review to the justice secretary next month, recommending how resources can be targeted at those who need them most.

‘During my first year in office I have met scores of families who have been bereaved through crime, and while talking to me about the huge emotional impacts upon them, many mentioned almost in passing having to get into debt or remortgage their house to pay for expenses because of what happened to their loved one,’ said Casey.

‘This can all run into thousands of pounds, and what we also know is that families who are affected by these kinds of crimes are more likely to come from poorer backgrounds, and therefore will be even less likely to cope with sudden financial pressures.’

As well as the financial cost to families following a murder, campaigners are also worried about the time it takes to compensate victims of crime.

The charity Victim Support is about to appeal to government to reform responses to applications for financial support.

Spokesman Alex Flynn said: ‘We’re seeing people having to wait for a year or more for compensation and that needs to be addressed.

‘There is also a cut-off point of 1979, which means if they were victims before then and have been living with it ever since, they are not eligible for compensation.’