A modified psychcological autopsy was used to study previous exposure to suicidal behaviour in next-of-kin of 58 consecutive suicides, age 15-29 years. 38% of the victims had at least one family member who had attempted suicide but in only 3 families had someone completed suicide. Plausible mechanisms for family clustering are outlined. If suicides among other relatives & close friends were included, a model was found in 62% of cases. Contagion factors in psychiatric units are mentioned.