The funerals of two of the alleged victims of self-proclaimed “Crossbow Cannibal” Stephen Griffiths are due to be held next month.

Shelley-Marie Armitage, 31, will be laid to rest next week, while provisional plans are in place for the funeral of Suzanne Blamires the following week.

An inquest into the deaths of the two women, and Susan Rushworth, whose remains have so far not been found, was expected to be opened today by the West Yorkshire Coroner in Bradford, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The inquest was expected to hear evidence of identification before being adjourned pending the outcome of the trial of Griffiths.

The funeral of Shelley, who died on Monday, April 26, will be held on Wednesday. It will be a Requiem Mass at St Francis Catholic Church, in Norman Lane, Eccleshill, followed by cremation at Rawdon.

A death notice in the Telegraph & Argus said that Shelley-Marie – the very precious daughter of Daryl and Gill, very much loved sister of Gemma and Carl, very much loved partner of Craig, loving auntie of Aaron and Pasha-Mai, a dearly loved niece, cousin and a great friend to many – passed away tragically on Monday, April 26, aged 31.

It said donations may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation.

The opening of the inquest and the planned funerals follows the completion of forensic inquiries. The coroner is now expected to release the remains.

Mature student Stephen Griffiths, 40, of Holmfield Court, Thornton Road, Bradford, who is accused of the murders of the three women, last appeared in court, via a videolink from Wakefield Prison, on July 16. On his first appearance, when asked to confirm his name, he replied: “The Crossbow Cannibal”.

A provisional trial date, for November 16, was vacated. The next hearing will be at Bradford Crown Court on October 15.

At the time of his arrest in May, Griffiths, who has a degree in psychology, was a part-time student at the University of Bradford, undertaking postgraduate research in criminology. He is charged with murdering Miss Armitage, of Allerton, Bradford, between April 25 and May 25 this year; Miss Blamires, 36, of Allerton, between May 20 and May 25; and Miss Rushworth, 43, of Manningham, Bradford, between June 22, 2009, and May 25 this year.

Miss Armitage has been missing since April 26. Miss Blamires was last seen on May 21, and Miss Rushworth disappeared on June 22 last year.

Body parts belonging to Miss Blamires were found in the River Aire at Shipley on May 25.

Tests confirmed that a small piece of human tissue later found in the water belonged to Miss Armitage. But no trace of Miss Rushworth has yet been found.

The family of Miss Armitage did not wish to comment yesterday.