A total of 143 next-of-kin of homicide victims were surveyed along with government and court officials. A major finding was that an overwhelming majority of bereaved families face hardship. A total of 14 percent of bereaved families in Bangalore and about 10 percent in Delhi have no one left to look after them after the family breadwinner was killed. Notwithstanding the tradition of mutual help, few individuals or voluntary organizations came forward to rescue needy families, and most donations were minimal. Only 10 percent of the victims had insurance to cover their expenses after the homicide. Also limited were instances where school children were given exemptions from payment of tuition or where family members were given employment. In both cities, government assistance was available but only in a limited number of cases. Such assistance was given as a very small lump sum of money. Most next-of-kin favored government compensation to the family, and many favored the idea of offender restitution. They feel that the families' economic needs should be the main criterion in deciding the amount of compensation. Data tables and four references are cited.