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Background: A high participation rate is essential for suicide-bereavement studies but achieving adequate number of participants can be challenging given the nature of the loss.We describe the various stages of a method that successfully increases the participation rates of the bereaved.Methods: Extensive interviews are performed and a study specific questionnaire is constructed.To identify an unselected group of participants we use the Swedish Register of Causes of Death and the Multi-generation Register.We contact participants and controls through an invitation letter and a personal telephone call followed by a series of thank you/reminder cards.We offer provision of support during participation, if needed.Results: A nationwide study of parents who lost a child to suicide has been completed.In total, 1043 (73%) of 1426 parents participated, 666 (73%) of 918 were bereaved and 377 (74%) of 508 non-bereaved.The mean internal response rate of the questionnaire was 98% for the bereaved and 99% for the controls.Conclusion: Despite the sensible population it is possible to achieve high response rates in a nationwide study of suicide-bereaved individuals by using an unselected group of participants, involving them in the creation of the questionnaire, providing them support during participation if needed and the use of a method that includes successive stages of personal contact and reminder cards that ethically and respectfully approach the participants.Suicide-bereaved parents appreciated the contact with the researchers and their participation in the study, reporting no re-traumatisation.