Registering a death
Registering your loved ones death is an important step in arranging their funeral and administering their estate.
Registration of a death is required within 5 days, unless the Coroner or other exceptional circumstances are involved. However, the registered Doctor or, if in hospital, the Doctor whom last saw your loved one and who certified the death, will need to send, by email, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the Office for the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Registrar).
Making an appointment
In order to register a death, you will need to make an appointment at the Registrar in the area where your loved one died, which may not be local to their home if they passed away in hospital. Either the Bereavement Teams within the local hospitals or our team will be able to advise which Registrar to contact. This appointment must take place in person and is on an appointment basis. We can assist in liaising with the Registered GP and the Registrar and let you know once you can make an appointment.
WHO CAN REGISTER A DEATH?
A relative of the person who has died or someone who was present at the death will usually be responsible for registering a death. It is also possible for the occupier of the house or an official from the public building where the death occurs, e.g. the hospital, to register. Finally, the person making the arrangements with the funeral director is permitted to register.
What information is required?
- The Registrar will need the following information from you about the person who has died:
- Full name and any previous names used;
- Date and place of birth;
- Date and place of death;
- Occupation;
- Last full postal address;
- If married, full name, date of birth and occupation of the surviving spouse;
- If they were in receipt of any state pension or benefits; and
- Their National Insurance number and that of any surviving husband, wife or civil partner.
They may also need the following documents:
- The NHS medical card of the person who has died (if available);
- The Birth certificate of the person who has died; and
- The Marriage or civil partnership certificate of the person who has died (if applicable)
Certification
Once the Registrar has the required information and documents, they will issue the Certification for Burial or Cremation, also known as the ‘green form’ to your appointed Funeral Director and the relevant authorities. At this stage, you can start arranging the funeral.
The Certificate for burial or cremation is free of charge and needs to be given to us, as your appointed funeral director, as soon as possible as it gives permission for the person who has died to be buried or cremated. This can be sent directly to us by the Registrar if you advise them. If the coroner is involved, this certificate may not be issued but instead a separate certificate sent directly to us.
Once the registration has taken place, the Registrar will issue a Death Certificate to you. It may be a good idea to order multiple copies (usually £11 each) so you can send to banks, building societies and life insurance companies etc., as they usually require originals.
